delusions

Question 1

DSM-5 definition of delusion

Answer 1

a false belief based on incorrect inference about external reality that is firmly held despite what almost everyone else believes & despite what constitutes incontrovertible & obvious proof to the contrary; the belief is not one ordinarily accepted by other members of the person’s culture/subculture

Question 2

critique of DSM-5 delusion definition - the word ‘false’

Answer 2

many delusional claims may be unfalsifiable (aliens), while others may be accidentally true (Othello syndrome wherein one believes their partner is having an affair)

Question 3

critique of DSM-5 delusion definition - the word ‘belief’

Answer 3

some people do not act the way they would be expected to if they believed their delusion; some delusions may be imaginings misidentified as beliefs

Question 4

critique of DSM-5 delusion definition - the phrase ‘incorrect inference about external reality’

Answer 4

some delusions concern internal reality (w/in one’s own body/mind)

Question 5

continuum approach of psychotic symptoms

Answer 5

argues that delusions may be present in attenuated form in the general population, and that clinically significant delusions occupy the extreme end of a spectrum on belief

Question 6

capgras delusion & psychodynamic explanation + critique

Answer 6

false belief that a close relative, friend or pet has been replaced by an identical imposter

psychodynamic explanation: subconscious, unacceptable incestuous desires for family members are made more acceptable with the belief that these people are not actually themselves, but imposters

critique: many develop delusions that more than 1 family member has been replaced by imposters this would be too many subconscious incestuous desires to account for

Question 7

cotard delusion & psychodynamic explanation + critique

Answer 7

false belief that one has died

psychodynamic explanation: delusion serves to reduce existential anxiety caused by awareness of mortality; there is no reason to fear death if one has already died

critique: if one is so fearful of death, why not adopt the belief of self immortality?

Question 8

frégoli delusion & psychodynamic explanation + critique

Answer 8

the false belief that one is being followed by people they know, disguised as strangers

psychodynamic explanation: represents a wish fulfilment fantasy that certain individuals (those in disguise) are still alive

critique: difficult to accept wish fulfilment w/ potential belief of hostile behaviour from those in disguise