Could this be an early sign of Delusional Disorder?

My father has full delusional disorder. No doubt. I'm 36 and I am starting to realize that I have a milder form of it. Erotomania, messages from tv/radio, thinking people can read my thoughts etc, although it's getting better the more insight and awareness I get about it (through traumatic social experiences).

When I was a child, whenever my arms or legs fell asleep, I thought other people could feel the tingling sensation that I did. I remember my Mom touching my arm and saying, "No, I don't feel the tingling like you do". Does this sound like an early indication of delusional disorder?

Also, I hate to admit it, but in 1st-4th grade I plagerized alot. I would find a poem that I liked from a book, write it out on some paper and put my name on it as an assignment (write a poem or story). I really believed that I wrote it and I got alot of admiration from teachers about my "writing abilities". I have not done this since the 4th grade.

Hi Jazzi79,

I think the things you describe that you are currently experiencing (erotomania, messages, etc.) could be signs of delusional disorder. Do you find them very disturbing?

Childhood experiences can be a bit tricky. You know, a child's brain is still fully developing. There might be parts that aren't developed yet at a certain point - this could be because of a normal developing process (e.g. teenagers often having a hard time controlling their impulses) or an abnormal process (e.g. a brain that is developing at another rate, with certain parts maturing earlier or later compared to other children). An abnormal process doesn't have to mean something is wrong and the brain development can still 'catch up' with the development that is normally seen around a certain age. I am not sure at what age you experienced the things you describe, but even if they did occur at an age one wouldn't expect them to, this wouldn't necessarily mean something was 'wrong' or 'off'.

I don't know if you've checked out the criteria listed for delusional disorder in the DSM-5. If not, you might want to do that http://psychcentral.com/disorders/delus ... -symptoms/

I hope I have been able to help you a little. It might not be a very clear answer, but the boundaries in psychology are often thin and can be vague. But remember, if it feels right for you and you aren't harming anyone (including yourself), then nothing's wrong.