An interpretative phenomenological analysis of delusions in people with Parkinson's disease.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this qualitative study was to explore what delusional experiences mean for people with Parkinson's disease (PD) and to examine how psychosocial factors contribute to the development and maintenance of delusional beliefs.


METHODS
Eight participants were interviewed, and interpretative phenomenological analysis was used to identity themes within their accounts. Participants were either recruited from a hospital-based outpatient movement disorder clinic or from a PD support group in the north-west of England.


RESULTS
Four themes emerged from the analysis: (1) 'I got very frightened': The emotional experience associated with delusions; (2) 'Why the hell's that happening?': Sense of uncertainty and of losing control; (3) 'I feel like I'm disintegrating': Loss of identity and sense of self; (4) 'I've just tried to make the best of things': Acceptance and adjustment to experience of delusions. These interconnected themes in participants' accounts of delusional beliefs were reflected in their descriptions of living with, and adjusting to, PD.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study add to the evidence base indicating the urgent examination of psychological alternatives to conventional, medication-based approaches to alleviating the distress caused by delusions in people with PD.
Todd
David
D
Division of Health Research, Department of Clinical Psychology, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YT, UK. djtodd_22@hotmail.com
Simpson
Jane
J
Murray
Craig
C
D000368:Aged; D003702:Delusions / Q000209:etiology*; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007062:Identification, Psychological; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000209:etiology