Since this isn’t a blog based on diagnosis, but more commentary and information, we won’t spend too much time talking about the validity of psychological diagnoses as a whole (though there are some incredible debates and thinkers who are great folks to follow). However, I want to briefly touch on Delusional Disorder, the erotomanic type.
Delusions are thought processes and beliefs that do not fit with reality, and persist despite evidence that they’re untrue. In the erotomanic type, (cribbed from the DSM-V), “the central theme of the delusion is that another person is in love with the individual.”
This is a terrifying concept, and one I think we often see represented in popular media. One of my favorite bands, and one of the most problematic punk bands around, is Masked Intruder. Many of their songs concern stalking and threats of bodily harm, and serve as great examples of how delusions form and have negative effects on the object of the delusion. Imagine telling someone to get lost, and they don’t leave you alone.
(There is also a terrific cultural argument to be made here, that men often disregard the rejection of women and continue to believe a woman is interested, despite clear evidence to the contrary, and get angry when the rejection continues. Often, women are killed after rejecting men’s advances. Coincidentally (surely), this is part of the criteria for Delusional Disorder.)
The song I’ve chosen, from the rich field of possibilities, is “Almost Like We’re Already in Love” (lyrics here).
Scary, right?!
theshamedynamic 