What subtype of Delusional Disorder involves the belief of being treated in a malevolent manner?

The subtype of Delusional Disorder associated with the belief of being treated in a malevolent manner is indeed the persecutory subtype. Individuals with this type of delusion typically believe that they are being harassed, conspired against, or otherwise mistreated by others. This can manifest in a variety of ways, such as thinking that they are the target of malicious plots or that people are intending to harm them.

Persecutory delusions often lead to intense feelings of suspicion and mistrust towards others, significantly impacting the individual’s social interactions and overall mental health. This is distinct from the other subtypes, such as grandiose, where the focus is on an inflated sense of self-importance; erotomanic, where one believes that another person is in love with them; and mixed, which involves a combination of delusional themes. Each subtype reflects a different core belief or theme regarding the nature of the delusions, underscoring why the persecutory subtype is specifically linked to the interpretation of malevolent treatment by others.