of reference A delusion in which events, objects, or other persons in one’s immedi-
ate environment are seen as having a particular and unusual significance. These
delusions are usually of a negative or pejo rative nature but also may be grandiose
in content. A delusion of reference differs from an idea of reference,  in which the
false belief is not as firmly held nor as fully organized into a true belief.
persecutory A delusion in which the central theme is that one (or someone to whom
one is close) is being attacked, harassed, cheated, persecuted, or conspired against.