Do delusions have and give meaning?
Cognitive psychology
Creativity
Delusions
Meaning
Meaningfulness
Phenomenology
Sense of coherence
Journal
Phenomenology and the cognitive sciences
ISSN: 1568-7759
Titre abrégé: Phenomenol Cogn Sci
Pays: Netherlands
ID NLM: 101543768
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
2022
2022
Historique:
accepted:
01
08
2021
entrez:
29
8
2022
pubmed:
30
8
2022
medline:
30
8
2022
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
Delusions are often portrayed as paradigmatic instances of incomprehensibility and meaninglessness. Here we investigate the relationship between delusions and meaning from a philosophical perspective, integrating arguments and evidence from cognitive psychology and phenomenological psychopathology. We review some of the empirical and philosophical literature relevant to two claims about delusions and meaning: (1) delusions are meaningful, despite being described as irrational and implausible beliefs; (2) some delusions can also enhance the sense that one's life is meaningful, supporting agency and creativity in some circumstances. Delusions are not incomprehensible representations of reality. Rather, they can help make sense of one's unusual experiences and in some circumstances even support one's endeavours, albeit temporarily and imperfectly. Acknowledging that delusions have meaning and can also give meaning to people's lives has implications for our understanding of psychotic symptoms and for addressing the stigma associated with psychiatric conditions.
Identifiants
pubmed: 36034162
doi: 10.1007/s11097-021-09764-9
pii: 9764
pmc: PMC9399029
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Pagination
949-968Subventions
Organisme : Medical Research Council
ID : MR/T04618X/1
Pays : United Kingdom
Informations de copyright
© The Author(s) 2021.
Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts
Conflict of interestThe authors declare that they have no competing interest.
Références
Schizophr Bull. 2019 Sep 11;45(5):952-955
pubmed: 29846714
Psychopathology. 2015;48(5):293-300
pubmed: 26346263
Lancet Psychiatry. 2021 Mar;8(3):237-249
pubmed: 33485408
Cogn Neuropsychiatry. 2010 Jan;15(1):261-87
pubmed: 20017038
Br J Psychiatry Suppl. 1991 Nov;(14):19-28
pubmed: 1840775
Q J Exp Psychol (Hove). 2007 Aug;60(8):1041-62
pubmed: 17654390
Schizophr Bull. 1993;19(3):579-97
pubmed: 8235460
Compr Psychiatry. 2008 May-Jun;49(3):288-96
pubmed: 18396189
Conscious Cogn. 2015 May;33:561-73
pubmed: 25467777
Cogn Neuropsychiatry. 2005 Aug;10(4):305-26
pubmed: 16571464
Psychopathology. 2010;43(6):357-68
pubmed: 20798575
Schizophr Bull. 2018 Jun 6;44(4):720-727
pubmed: 29529266
Br J Psychiatry. 1992 Sep;161:298-308
pubmed: 1393300
Psychopathology. 2018;51(4):276-284
pubmed: 29966134
World Psychiatry. 2007 Oct;6(3):149-56
pubmed: 18188432
Annu Rev Psychol. 2011;62:271-98
pubmed: 20731601
Conscious Cogn. 2017 Apr;50:3-11
pubmed: 27815016
BJPsych Bull. 2022 Apr;46(2):109-115
pubmed: 33431098
Psychopathology. 2019;52(2):126-134
pubmed: 31163447
Br J Psychiatry Suppl. 1991 Nov;(14):6-13
pubmed: 1840782
Psychopathology. 2011;44(3):172-82
pubmed: 21412031
Schizophr Bull. 2013 Mar;39(2):287-94
pubmed: 23314193
Philos Compass. 2015 Sep;10(9):636-645
pubmed: 27478490
Schizophr Bull. 2019 Mar 7;45(2):271
pubmed: 30843050
Conscious Cogn. 2007 Dec;16(4):932-41
pubmed: 17331741