Treating the untreatable? The biopsychosocial treatment of delusional disorder: a case study

Australas Psychiatry. 2020 Aug;28(4):433-437. doi: 10.1177/1039856220901463. Epub 2020 Feb 4.

Abstract

Objective: Delusional disorder (DD) is well recognised, but its treatment is controversial. This article presents a case study that highlights the therapeutic benefits associated with assertive biopsychosocial treatment of DD.

Method: The literature on pharmacological and psychological treatments for DD is briefly reviewed, and a case example from the Queensland Fixated Threat Assessment Centre is given to illustrate a comprehensive biopsychosocial treatment framework.

Results: Combined pharmacological and psychosocial intervention resulted in stabilisation and improvement in mental state for the case described.

Conclusions: There is an emergent evidence base for an assertive biopsychosocial approach to treating DD. The case study demonstrates that a range of therapeutic goals is achievable.

Keywords: biopsychosocial treatment approaches; clinical outcomes; delusional disorder.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Models, Biopsychosocial
  • Psychotherapy / methods*
  • Queensland
  • Schizophrenia, Paranoid / psychology
  • Schizophrenia, Paranoid / therapy*