What type of delusion is characterized by a belief that worms are eating one's intestines?

The belief that worms are eating one’s intestines is classified as a somatic delusion. Somatic delusions involve an individual's false belief about their own body or physical sensations. In this case, the person is experiencing a distorted perception related to their bodily integrity, specifically imagining an infestation that is not present.

Somatic delusions can manifest as beliefs about diseases, malformations, or infestations affecting one's body. The content of these delusions often leads individuals to seek unnecessary medical interventions or express significant distress about their bodily sensations. In contrast, paranoid delusions are primarily characterized by fears of persecution or conspiracy, grandiose delusions relate to an inflated sense of self-importance or power, and delusional is a broader category that encompasses various forms of delusions without specifying the content. Therefore, recognizing this specific type as somatic helps in understanding the nature of the belief and its implications for the individual's mental health.