What does a delusion of persecution involve?

A delusion of persecution specifically involves the belief that one is being targeted or harmed by others. This can manifest as the individual feeling that they are being conspired against, harassed, or plotted against by a group or specific individuals. This type of delusion is characterized by the conviction that others intend to inflict harm, which can lead to significant distress and behavioral responses aimed at avoiding or confronting perceived threats.

The other options, while they describe different types of psychological beliefs, do not accurately capture the essence of persecution. For instance, monitoring by an external force is indicative of a different type of delusion, such as a delusion of reference. Similarly, beliefs tied to grandiosity involve a sense of one's own importance rather than feelings of being harmed, and a belief in a direct relationship with an external action does not relate specifically to feelings of persecution or victimization. Thus, the identification of that persecutory belief is crucial for understanding this type of delusion within the framework of DSM-5 disorders.