How should you interpret Sam's belief that he is a famous movie star and a limousine will arrive to get him later today?

• A. Psychotic thinking.
• B. Delusional thoughts.
• C. Flight of ideas.
• D. Confabulation.

Answer: (B)

This illustrates grandiose delusions—a fixed, false belief of extraordinary status that is not shared by others and persists despite evidence to the contrary. Sam’s belief that he is a famous movie star and that a limousine will arrive for him today fits this pattern, because it centers on an inflated sense of identity and special status with an imminent event tied to that belief.

It’s not flight of ideas, which would involve a rapid, loose jumping between topics. It’s not confabulation, which is the creation of false memories to fill gaps in recall. And while delusions are a type of psychotic symptom, the key feature here is the unshakable, grandiose belief about himself and his future treatment.