How to understand the formation of delusional beliefs: a proposal.
The formation of delusional beliefs is elucidated by the expressed experiences of 75 delusional patients. It is found that such beliefs may develop regardless of the presence (64%) or absence (20%) of anomalous experiences. Patients within the same diagnostic category remember it very differently. Many patients (71%) find a simple and reassuring way of understanding and relating to the external world by the formation of delusional beliefs. To many patients (47%) the delusional theme remains unchanged from the start and from one psychotic episode to another, while to other patients (24%) the theme changes in a hierarchical way. It is suggested that the formation of delusional beliefs is caused by impaired two-way communication or metathinking and that the delusional theme indicates the severity of cognitive dysfunction or mental disorder.
Department A, Psychiatric Hospital in Aarhus, Risskov, Denmark.
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P
Jørgensen
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J
Jensen
D000328:Adult; D000341:Affective Disorders, Psychotic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D003702:Delusions / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010552:Personality Assessment; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D012931:Social Environment