EVOLUTIONARY PERSPECTIVES ON PARANOID DISORDER

The discrete clustering of thematic content in delusional disorder sub types corresponds closely to several specific classes of normal mental concerns and suspicions that, in turn, correspond to distinct classes of enduring environmental challenges. Such content-specific normal me ntal configurations have been proposed previously to represent evolved adaptations to certain aspects of social reciprocity and mating. This article proposes that delusional disorders might represent disordered forms of such behavioral adaptations produced by hypersensitivity-des igned by natural selection-to important environmental threats or oppor tunities or by behavioral misfiring triggered by exotic perceptions or environmental cues.