Delusional Disorders and Homeopathy: A Narrative Review

Dr Shobhana Vala

Abstract
Background: Delusional Disorder (DD) is characterized by the presence of one or more non-bizarre delusions lasting at least one month, with functioning not markedly impaired outside the delusional theme.⁽¹⁾ While conventional treatments include antipsychotics and psychotherapy. Individualized homeopathic remedies aim to enhance the quality of life of patients with delusional disorder by addressing associated symptoms and supporting overall care.

Objective:
This review aims to understand how delusional disorder presents clinically, describe the main types of delusions as explained in DSM-5 and standard psychiatric texts, and discuss homeopathic remedies that are traditionally considered for such delusional states based on classical materia medica.

Methods:
This is a narrative review that brings together information from DSM-5, descriptions of different delusional types from the Synopsis of Psychiatry, and mental symptom descriptions from classical homeopathic texts such as Kent’s and Boericke’s materia medica. A table is used to relate different types of delusions to commonly mentioned homeopathic remedies and their traditional indications.

Conclusion:
Although strong scientific evidence for the use of homeopathy in primary psychotic disorders is limited and more research is needed, individualized homeopathic treatment may help in supportive care by addressing associated symptoms and improving quality of life. Careful psychiatric assessment and an integrated approach to management remain essential.

Keywords: Delusional Disorder, Delusion Types, Homeopathy, Kent, Boericke, Narrative Review

Introduction
Delusional Disorder (DD) is a psychiatric condition defined by the persistence of fixed, false beliefs that are not amenable to reason and are not typical of culture or religion. ⁽¹⁾ DD is differentiated by the predominance of non-bizarre delusions and relatively preserved functioning outside the delusional theme.⁽²⁾

DD can have a significant impact on quality of life and interpersonal functioning, and conventional treatment often includes pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy. However, some patients pursue complementary modalities such as homeopathy for holistic symptom management. In homeopathic philosophy, mental and emotional symptoms, including fixed ideas and beliefs, are key guides for remedy selection. Despite limited clinical trials, classical homeopathy emphasizes individualization of treatment based on the total symptom picture.

This review seeks to bridge psychiatric classifications of delusional types with commonly referenced homeopathic remedies detailed in Kent’s and Boericke’s materia medica.

Delusional Disorder: Types of Delusions and Homeopathic Correlates

Below is a table summarizing the types of delusions commonly described in Delusional Disorder, with associated homeopathic remedies frequently mentioned in classical materia medica texts (Kent, Boericke). ^{(3) (4)} These correspondences are drawn from symptom similarity and traditional homeopathic indications, not from controlled clinical evidence.

Type of Delusion (DSM-5)	Definition (Psychiatry)	Homeopathic Remedies & Keynotes
Persecutory	Belief of being harmed, conspired against, or attacked	Stramonium – fear of being attacked; Belladonna – suspicion, violent thoughts; Hyoscyamus – fear of poisoning
Grandiose	Belief of exaggerated power, wealth, or identity	Platina – pride, superiority; Lachesis – dominant, prophetic delusions; Veratrum album – religious or royal delusions
Jealous (Othello Syndrome)	Belief that partner is unfaithful without evidence	Hyoscyamus – jealousy with suspicion; Lachesis – jealousy with loquacity Natrum muriaticum – sensitive, jealous, dwelling on betrayal.
Erotomanic	Belief that someone (often important) is in love with them	Platinaa – erotic pride; Pulsatilla – romantic imagination; Aspidospermum – intense idealized love fixed on another
Somatic	False belief regarding bodily functions or disease	Thuja – fixed ideas about body, sensations of infestation (“worms”),; Silicea – delusions of structural illness. chronic infection sensations ; Borax – creepy crawly sensations.
Nihilistic	Belief that self or world does not exist	Cotard-like state: Secale cornutum, Aurum metallicum – despair, self-annihilation
Referential	Belief that neutral events refer personally to oneself	Lachesis – misinterpretation; Stramonium – fearful misreading of surroundings
Mixed	More than one delusional theme present	Remedy selection depends on totality of symptoms, per classical homeopathy

Discussion

Delusional Disorder in Psychiatric Literature

Delusional Disorder is characterized in psychiatry by:

• Monodelusional focus — one predominant delusional theme.
• Non-bizarre content — unlikely but possible scenarios (e.g., being poisoned).
• Relative preservation of social/occupational functioning aside from the impact of the delusion.

Common subtypes include persecutory, jealous, erotomanic, somatic, and grandiose forms.

Homeopathy and delusional Symptoms
Classical homeopathic literature, as described by masters like Kent, Hering, and Boericke, records remarkably precise mental pictures—such as fear of persecution, exaggerated self-importance, jealousy, or bodily misperceptions—that closely parallel modern psychiatric descriptions of delusions. This convergence highlights homeopathy’s holistic understanding of the human mind, where careful individualization and totality of symptoms remain central to understanding mental disorders.

Conclusion
Delusional disorder presents with fixed false beliefs that can significantly affect a person’s life. While conventional psychiatric care remains essential for diagnosis and management, homeopathy emphasizes an individualized approach based on the person’s overall mental and physical state. Although strong scientific evidence is limited, individualized homeopathic care may help reduce associated distress, support emotional well-being, and improve quality of life when used alongside standard psychiatric care. An integrated and cautious approach is important to ensure patient safety and comprehensive treatment.

References

1. Kaplan & Sadock’s synopsis of psychiatry: behavioral sciences/clinical psychiatry. 11th ed. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer; 2015.
2. Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders. 5th ed. Washington (DC): American Psychiatric Publishing; 2013.
3. Pocket manual of homoeopathic materia medica and repertory. 9th ed. New Delhi: B Jain Publishers; 2007.
4. Lectures on homoeopathic materia medica. New Delhi: B Jain Publishers; Reprint edition.

Dr. Shobhana Vala, M. D. (Hom.)
Psychiatry Scholar
Email : shobhanavala44@gmail.com