Which statement about delusions is accurate?

Which statement about delusions is accurate?

• A. They are always true
• B. Delusions are beliefs and opinions that are bizarre
• C. They are unrelated to beliefs
• D. They are always harmless

Answer: (B)

Delusions are fixed, false beliefs held with strong conviction despite clear evidence to the contrary and not shared by others in the person’s cultural or social group. They are beliefs or opinions rather than sensory experiences, and they often appear bizarre or implausible, which is why describing them as beliefs and opinions that are bizarre captures the essential idea. The other statements don’t fit because delusions are not true, they are indeed related to beliefs (not unrelated to beliefs), and they are not inherently harmless—delusions can cause distress or lead to harmful actions.

Delusions are fixed, false beliefs held with strong conviction despite clear evidence to the contrary and not shared by others in the person’s cultural or social group. They are beliefs or opinions rather than sensory experiences, and they often appear bizarre or implausible, which is why describing them as beliefs and opinions that are bizarre captures the essential idea. The other statements don’t fit because delusions are not true, they are indeed related to beliefs (not unrelated to beliefs), and they are not inherently harmless—delusions can cause distress or lead to harmful actions.