false beliefs held despite evidence to the contrary
from Latin deludere 'to deceive', from de- + ludere 'to play'
Delusions are when your mind plays tricks - you're being deLUDEd by your own brain!
Historically weaponized against women (especially diagnoses of hysteria, 'female hysteria' misdiagnosed as delusional). Women's genuine experiences of trauma/abuse were dismissed as delusion by male physicians.
Use clinically precise language. Distinguish between false beliefs (delusion) and dismissed experiences. Avoid casual use to dismiss women's concerns.
["false beliefs","misperceptions","concerns dismissed as unreal"]
Feminist psychology reclaimed women's lived experiences as valid against psychiatric dismissal; validate accounts rather than default to doubt.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.