Delusion vs. Illusion: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Delusion is a false belief held despite strong evidence against it, often due to a mental disorder, while illusion is a deceptive appearance or perception.
Key Differences
A delusion is a mistaken belief that is held with strong conviction even when presented with superior evidence to the contrary, often linked to mental health issues. An illusion, however, is a misinterpretation of a true sensation or experience, creating a false perception of reality.
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Nov 23, 2023
Delusions are internal and related to one’s mental state, often occurring in conditions like schizophrenia. Illusions are external, stemming from misleading stimuli in the environment, and are a normal experience in healthy individuals.
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A person with a delusion may believe in something bizarre or implausible without any logical or factual basis. An illusion, on the other hand, is a distortion of the senses, revealing how the brain normally organizes and interprets sensory stimulation.
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Delusions can significantly impact an individual's ability to function and may require psychiatric intervention. Illusions are generally not harmful and can be easily dispelled by changing the sensory inputs.
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In delusions, the belief persists even after being proven false, whereas illusions can be corrected when the sensory information is interpreted correctly.
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Comparison Chart
Origin
Internal, often linked to mental disorders
External, caused by environmental stimuli
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Impact on Functioning
Can significantly impair functioning
Usually does not impair functioning
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Relation to Reality
Disconnected from reality
Misrepresentation of a real experience
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Delusion and Illusion Definitions
Delusion
A firmly held belief that is clearly false and that indicates an abnormality in the affected person's content of thought.
His delusion of being watched made him paranoid.
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Illusion
A false idea or belief that is caused by the way you see or think about something.
The optical illusion made the picture look as if it was moving.
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Delusion
A false idea or belief that is resistant to confrontation with actual facts.
The patient's delusion that he could fly was dangerous to himself and others.
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Illusion
An experience of seeming to see something that does not exist or that is other than it appears.
The funhouse mirrors created an illusion of altered shapes and sizes.
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Delusion
A symptom of mental disorder involving persistent false beliefs.
Her delusion of grandeur was part of her schizophrenia diagnosis.
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Illusion
A thing that is or is likely to be wrongly perceived or interpreted by the senses.
The desert mirage was an illusion caused by refracted light.
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Delusion
A belief or impression that is firmly maintained despite being contradicted by what is generally accepted as reality.
Despite evidence to the contrary, he clung to the delusion that he was invincible.
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Illusion
A deceptive appearance or impression.
The magician's skill created the illusion of a disappearing coin.
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Delusion
A mistaken or misleading opinion, idea, or belief.
She held a delusion about her abilities that led to constant disappointment.
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Illusion
A distortion of the senses, revealing how the brain normally organizes and interprets sensory information.
The illusion of the bent stick in water is caused by light refraction.
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Illusion
An erroneous perception of reality
Mirrors gave the illusion of spaciousness.
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Illusion
An erroneous concept or belief
The notion that money can buy happiness is an illusion.
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Delusion
A false belief or opinion
Labored under the delusion that success was at hand.
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Illusion
The condition of being deceived by a false perception or belief
Spent months flailing about in illusion.
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Delusion
(Psychiatry) A false belief or perception that is a manifestation of a mental illness
Delusions of persecution.
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Illusion
Something that is erroneously perceived or construed
The animal in the shadows turned out to be an illusion.
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Delusion
A false belief that is resistant to confrontation with actual facts.
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Delusion
The state of being deluded or misled, or process of deluding somebody.
It is far better to grasp the universe as it really is than to persist in delusion, however satisfying and reassuring.
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Illusion
(countable) Anything that seems to be something that it is not.
We saw what looked like a tiger among the trees, but it was an illusion caused by the shadows of the branches.
Using artificial additives, scientists can create the illusion of fruit flavours in food.
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Delusion
That which is falsely or delusively believed or propagated; false belief; error in belief.
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Illusion
(countable) A misapprehension; a belief in something that is in fact not true.
Jane has this illusion that John is in love with her.
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Delusion
A fixed, false belief, that will not change, despite evidence to the contrary.
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Illusion
An unreal image presented to the bodily or mental vision; a deceptive appearance; a false show; mockery; hallucination.
To cheat the eye with blear illusions.
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Delusion
That which is falsely or delusively believed or propagated; false belief; error in belief.
And fondly mourned the dear delusion gone.
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Illusion
Hence: Anything agreeably fascinating and charming; enchantment; witchery; glamour.
Ye soft illusions, dear deceits, arise!
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Delusion
(psychology) an erroneous belief that is held in the face of evidence to the contrary
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Illusion
A sensation originated by some external object, but so modified as in any way to lead to an erroneous perception; as when the rolling of a wagon is mistaken for thunder.
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Delusion
A mistaken or unfounded opinion or idea;
He has delusions of competence
His dreams of vast wealth are a hallucination
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Illusion
A plain, delicate lace, usually of silk, used for veils, scarfs, dresses, etc.
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Illusion
Something many people believe that is false;
They have the illusion that I am very wealthy
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Repeatedly Asked Queries
Do delusions require medical attention?
Often, yes, especially if they are part of a psychiatric disorder.
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Are delusions based on reality?
No, delusions are typically disconnected from reality.
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Are illusions common in daily life?
Yes, illusions are a normal part of perception and can occur frequently.
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Can illusions be enjoyable?
Yes, illusions, like those in magic shows, can be entertaining.
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Do delusions change with evidence?
No, delusions often persist even when confronted with contrary evidence.
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Can delusions be harmful?
Yes, delusions can be harmful as they may impair judgment and behavior.
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Are optical illusions a type of illusion?
Yes, optical illusions are a common type of sensory illusion.
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Can everyone experience illusions?
Yes, illusions can be experienced by anyone, regardless of their mental health.
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Do delusions affect thinking?
Yes, delusions can significantly affect a person's thought processes.
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Can stress cause delusions?
Stress can exacerbate delusions, especially in predisposed individuals.
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Can delusions be caused by drugs?
Yes, certain drugs can induce delusional thinking.
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Can a healthy person have delusions?
It's rare, but severe stress or trauma can trigger delusional thinking in healthy individuals.
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Are delusions a sign of schizophrenia?
Delusions can be a symptom of schizophrenia, but not exclusively.
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Are delusions always bizarre?
Not always; some delusions can be plausible but still false.
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Can a person be aware of their illusion?
Yes, people can often recognize when they are experiencing an illusion.
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Do illusions involve all senses?
Illusions can involve any of the senses, not just sight.
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Is an illusion always visual?
No, illusions can affect other senses like hearing and touch.
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Do illusions require treatment?
No, illusions are normal and usually don't require treatment.
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Are auditory hallucinations a type of illusion?
No, auditory hallucinations are different and involve hearing nonexistent sounds.
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Can illusions help in understanding brain function?
Yes, studying illusions can provide insights into how the brain processes information.
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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