Vignette Hector Case Study

In reference to the Case Study Vignette- Hector there were several relative factors that contributed to his diagnosis of Delusional Disorder. Hector has been experiencing a variety of symptoms. He was suspended from school after he walked into his classroom and stated, "I am the Joker and I am looking for Batman", he refused to leave the classroom and was later escorted out by campus police. Within the past year Hector has begun exhibiting increasingly odd behaviors. Hector 's brother has observed him mumbling to himself, standing on the roof waving his arms as if he is directing a symphony. Hector denied any thoughts of self-harm or having the intent to jump off of the roof and said that he felt liberated and in tune with the music when he …show more content…
Delirium is coded by the DSM-5 as ICD-10-CM-F05. Individuals with delirium may present symptoms that suggest delusional disorder. However in delirium, individuals experience a fluctuating level of consciousness, altered sleep/wake cycle, hallucinations and impaired cognition are features of delirium that are absent in delusional disorder (Hilty and Bourgeois, 2016). Schizophrenia is coded by the DSM-5 as ICD-10-CM- F20, is distinguished from delusional disorder by the absences of other characteristic symptoms of the active phase of schizophrenia (APA, 2013). Schizophrenia delusions are bizarre in nature, and thematically-associated hallucinations are common. In addition, there is also present disorganized thought process, speech, or behaviors. Negative symptoms and deterioration in function are prominent. Cognitive deficits are common (Hilty and Bourgeois, …show more content…
Delusional disorder has genetic and biological factors. Individuals with close relatives of persons that have delusional disorder will have increased delusional disorder and paranoid personality traits (Advameg,n.d). Genetically, delusional disorder is more common in individuals with people who have family members with delusional disorder or schizophrenia that suggests that there might be genetic factors involved ("Delusional disorder", 2005). It was stated that Hector 's grandmother was hospitalized for 15 years before she died. Her diagnosis was unknown. His mother also was described as "crazy". Hector is at greater risk of having delusional disorder because there is a possibility that his grandmother and mother may have had the same disorder. Biological research has studied how abnormalities of certain areas of the brain may be correlated with the development of delusional disorder ("Delusional disorder",