An attempt to contradict the belief is likely to arouse an inappropriately strong emotional reaction, often with irritability and hostility. They will not accept any other opinions. The belief is, at the least, unlikely, and out of keeping with the individuals social, cultural, and religious background. The person is emotionally over-invested in the idea and it overwhelms other elements of his or her psyche. The delusion, if acted out, often leads to behaviors which are abnormal, and out of character, although perhaps understandable in light of the delusional beliefs. Other people who know the individual observe that the belief and behavior are uncharacteristic and alien.Additional features of delusional disorder include the following:
It is a primary disorder. It is a stable disorder characterized by the presence of delusions to which the patient clings with extraordinary tenacity. The illness is chronic and frequently lifelong. The delusions are logically constructed and internally consistent. The delusions do not interfere with general logical reasoning (although within the delusional system the logic is perverted) and there is usually no general disturbance of behavior. If disturbed behavior does occur, it is directly related to the delusional beliefs. The individual experiences a heightened sense of self-reference. Events which, to others, are nonsignificant are of enormous significance to him or her, and the atmosphere surrounding the delusions is highly charged.However this should not be confused with gaslighting, where a person denies the truth, and causes the one being gaslit to think that they are being delusional.
Attempted suicide by intake of a large dose of quinine has caused irreversible tunnel vision and very severe visual impairment.Patients treated with quinine may also suffer from low blood sugar, especially if it is administered intravenously, and hypotension (low blood pressure).Quinine, like chloroquine, inactivates enzymes in the lysosomes of cells and has an anti-inflammatory effect, hence its use in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. However, inactivation of these enzymes can also cause abnormal accumulation of glycogen and phospholipids in lysosomes, causing toxic myopathy. It is possible this action is the root cause of cinchonism. References
External links
Lin, Xi; Chen, Shanping; Tee, Daniel (May 1998). "Effects of Quinine on the Excitability and Voltage-Dependent Currents of Isolated Spiral Ganglion Neurons in Culture". Journal of Neurophysiology. 79 (5): 2503–12. doi:10.1152/jn.1998.79.5.2503. PMID 9582223.