Delusions vs Hallucinations: which statement defines delusions?

• A. Perceptions without external stimulus
• B. Mood disturbances
• C. Disorganized speech
• D. Fixed beliefs not changing despite conflicting evidence

Answer: (D)

Delusions come from a firmly held, false belief that remains unchanged even when there is clear evidence against it. That steadfast conviction is what sets delusions apart from other symptoms. Perceptions without external stimulus describe hallucinations—sensory experiences like hearing voices with no external source. Mood disturbances relate to affective state rather than belief content, and disorganized speech reflects disrupted thought patterns rather than a belief held as true. So the defining feature is the persistence of a belief that is not altered by opposing evidence.