Delusional Individuals–What to Do
by: James Serio M.A.
Delusions vary a lot. They range from irrational confidence in the stock market to beliefs far more bizarre that that of being a “special angel.”
There are three causes of delusions:
1) Medical reasons.
2) Psychological reasons.
3) Spiritual reasons.
First: Medical reasons
Delusions can be the result of the use of illegal drugs, exposure to environmental toxins and sometimes, prescription medication. These delusions usually go away when the drug is no longer present.
Delusions can be the result of dementia (Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s Dementia etc.). When a person’s reasoning abilities become compromised, delusions can result.
Delusions can be the result of head trauma. The brain–as a result of the injury–is no longer able to clearly distinguish reality from fiction.
There are undoubtably other medical issues that may cause delusions. However, the aforementioned are the ones I am aware of.
Second: Psychological Reasons.
All of us–to some extent–have delusions or false beliefs. The human mind is logical until a strong emotion becomes involved. Then, human reason tends to give way such as to accommodate the emotional desire. The Bible says as much: “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure (Jeremiah 17:9 NIV).”
Every one of us has the ability, to some extent, to engage in self-deception. If we want to believe something bad enough, we can.
This article will emphasize delusions outside the realm of typical human experience. Here are some psychological causes of delusions.
Delusions can be the result of a lack of common sense. That is why the bible says “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him (James 1:5 NIV).”
Delusions can be the result of a defense mechanism. That is, if reality is too painful or frightening, we can choose to believe something untrue–but more comforting. One example: Elderly people–near death–often engage in regression–they behave much like a child. They find it comforting to believe someone wiser than them is in control and will take care of them–just like when they were much younger.
Delusions can be very voluntary: People can and do make a voluntary decision to deceive themselves–and stay deceived. Drugs and alcohol can be used to aid in the delusion.
I want to comment on this last item. One client–who was homeless–told me how he coped with life on the streets. He told me, when he was sober, his life on the street seemed unbearable. So he made a point of staying drunk. As long as he had alcohol etc. in his system, he could believe that he was someone really important and that “this world is wonderful.”
When people did help him, he was able to believe “They should be grateful I’m in their life.”
This client said that he was not alone in his self-deception. Women, who he had sex with while on the street, were really trading sex for drugs. But they too engaged in self-deception. Drugs and alcohol helped these women believe that they really were in love with him. Reality, the client said, would have been too painful for them. “They couldn’t deceive themselves without being drunk.”
The foregoing types of delusions are not the kind that cause the biggest problems. It’s the next kind that cause the most trouble in our lives.
Third: Spiritual reasons.
Consider this Scripture: “Again I say, don’t get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights. A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people. Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth. Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil’s trap. For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants (2 Timothy 2:23-26 ).”
You probably don’t need a clinical explanation of “difficult people.” And I doubt you really need any examples.
I believe all delusions not explained by the medical and psychological reasons mentioned earlier, are demonic. Demonic delusions are never healthy. Rather, they all are consistent with the devil’s mission “to steal and kill and destroy (John 10:10 NIV).” One reason for the differences: Some demons are capable of more evil than others (Matthew 12:43-45).
Not all Christians are free of delusions. I’ve prayed for and with a number of Christians–and seen no improvement. However, I have also seen some remarkable successes.
While I was getting my Master’s Degree, I worked in a residential facility for emotionally disturbed youth. One boy–who was also a child molester–was particularly abusive. He would accuse me of wrongdoing and curse me repeatedly. It was impossible to reason with him. I was forever writing him up for violating the rules. Normally, this is a never ending cycle.
However, this boy had a Christian relative who had not given up on him. I don’t know when this boy got saved. However, he did and, in time, he learned that I also was a Christian. I remember the incredibly cautious look on his face when he decided to reach out to me: He was studying his Bible and wanted to know what a word meant. To make a long story short, when he left the facility, he was on good terms with me and–as far as I could tell–free of delusions.
A second and even more dramatic example: There was an individual who everybody perceived as crazy–usually within hearing three sentences. His psych meds did nothing for his delusions. He was a Christian. For therapists, his diagnosis was Schizoaffective Disorder, Bipolar Type. He became my client. His story follows.
Whenever this client talked, he made no sense. However, he was passionate in what he believed. Once, he accused his mother of lying and threatened to kill her!
I encouraged this client to read his Bible daily and pray for wisdom. When he insisted he had wisdom, I encouraged him to pray for more. I also prayed for this client on a daily basis.
I also got help from a staff pastor. The pastor stated that a turning point for the client was when the client learned, from Scripture, that Christians are to be joyful, not angry. He took this to heart.
Within about three months, there was a huge change in this client: He could carry on a conversation with no delusional content whatsoever! His perspective: “I feel like I got my mind back.” It was incredible.
His improvement was not 100%, however. Whenever he talked about events in the distant past, there was still some delusional content. Nonetheless, for those of us who knew this client, the change was nothing short of amazing!
So, how do we deal with the delusional individuals in our lives? That depends on many factors.
If the person’s delusions are of demonic origin and he/she is abusive, the most appropriate course of action may be to find a way of getting the person out of your life, if at all possible. This is especially true in the context of employment.
Never make the assumption that God will definitely cure these individuals. You just don’t know what God will or will not do.
However, if the person is a family member, in your life to stay, or a person who you are voluntarily trying to help, consider the following ideas.
First, consider gentle persuasion. If the delusion is not of demonic origin, patient persuasion alone may yield results: “Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone Proverbs 25:15 NIV).”
Second, pray for the individual every day. And keep praying until you get results. Get others to pray also. And consider taking the person to a local healing room for prayer (http://ift.tt/1nWfz7e)
Third, consider sharing the gospel. Getting the person saved is a big step in the right direction. It may solve the problem by itself. This is not advisable in every situation (Matthew 7:6).
Fourth, encourage the individual to live a life that God can bless. Try to get him to read the Bible daily, go to church, pray and obey Scripture.
Fifth, be very cautious in confronting delusional individuals about their false beliefs. This can be dangerous! Wait until you feel it is safe and then do so gently.
Sixth, do what you can to reduce the person’s anger and increase his joy. This may go a long way toward resolving the problem (Ephesians 4:26-27).
Finally, if you are a young person and have a delusional parent, recognize that you may not be able to change their reality. Walk wisely; don’t let your emotions take over. Forgive–don’t get bitter. Bitterness can easily destroy anyone’s life. Recognize that, in their mind, they are doing nothing wrong.
Furthermore, God promises that you will be blessed your entire life if you can find a way to honor your parents. I know this sometimes can be extremely difficult to do. However, consider this passage: “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ‘Honor your father and mother’–which is the first commandment with a promise–’that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth’ (Ephesians 6:1-3 NIV).”
This does not mean that you should sin–even if your parents tell you to. Obeying God always comes first.
So that’s it. I hope this article has been helpful to you. Dealing with delusional individuals can be a very big challenge–as you may know all too well.
About The Author
James Serio M.A. has years of experience in the mental health field. His website focuses on Biblical solutions to common mental health issues.
That website is http://ift.tt/1h1J0UH
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