A Wikipedia article (chuckling to myself)

Ideas of reference — Wikipedia

ideas of reference

Ideas of reference and delusions of reference describe the phenomenon of an individual experiencing innocuous events or mere coincidences and believing they have strong personal significance. It is “the notion that everything one perceives in the world relates to one’s own destiny”, usually in a negative and hostile manner. This is not to be confused with gaslighting.

In psychiatry, delusions of reference form part of the diagnostic criteria for psychotic illnesses such as schizophrenia, delusional disorderbipolar disorder (during the elevated stages of mania), as well as schizotypal personality disorder. To a lesser extent, it can be a hallmark of paranoid personality disorder. Such symptoms can also be caused by intoxication, such as stimulants like methamphetamine.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ideas_of_reference_and_delusions_of_reference

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