What is one of the main characteristics of delusions?

One of the main characteristics of delusions is the presence of erroneous beliefs. Delusions are firmly held false beliefs that are resistant to reason or contrary evidence. Individuals experiencing delusions maintain these beliefs despite clear and logical evidence that contradicts them, which illustrates a significant departure from reality.

For example, a person might believe they are under constant surveillance or that they possess extraordinary abilities, even when it’s evident that such beliefs do not align with reality. This distinguishes delusional thinking from other cognitive disturbances, as the beliefs are not merely unusual but are fixed, often leading to significant distress or impairment in functioning.

The other characteristics listed, while they can occur in various psychiatric conditions, do not specifically define delusions. Incoherent thought processes may refer to disorganized thinking but are not indicative of delusions themselves. Decreased productivity of thought may occur due to other mental health issues, and catatonia refers to a different set of symptoms involving motor activity and is not a characteristic feature of delusions. Thus, erroneous beliefs stand out as the defining trait of delusions.