Psychopathology · 1994 · 24 citations · 0 references
PsychotherapyPsychological Co-morbiditiesDelusional BeliefsNeuropsychiatrySocial SciencesPsychologyIrrationalityBelief FunctionMany PatientsHierarchical WayExperimental PsychopathologyCognitive SciencePsychiatryBelief RevisionPsychosisSocial CognitionPsychotic DisorderCognitive DysfunctionBelief MergingSchizophreniaEpistemologyMedicinePsychopathologyPhilosophy Of MindPhilosophical Psychology
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.