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Cognitive Processes in Delusional Disorders

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

Christopher Fear ,
Helen Sharp  and
David Healy
Christopher Fear*
Affiliation:
Kidderminster General Hospital, Bewdley Road, Kidderminster, Worcestershire, DY11 6RJ
Helen Sharp
Affiliation:
Hergest Unit
David Healy
Affiliation:
Hergest Unit
*
Dr Healy, Hergest Unit, Ysbyty Gwynedd, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2PW
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Abstract

Background

Studies of schizophrenics with persecutory delusions have shown cognitive biases in subjects who are deluded. It has been suggested that their delusions defend against depression. This study challenges the assumption that delusional disorder (DD) patients are covertly depressed.

Method

Clinical and demographic data and responses to questionnaires designed to assess schizotypy, depression, dysfunctional attitudes, attributional and attention biases were collected from 29 patients satisfying DSM–III–R criteria for DD. These were compared with 20 matched normal controls and results from published studies of schizophrenics.

Results

DD subjects did not show abnormal levels of overt or covert depression or schizotypy. They showed high levels of dysfunctional attitudes (P < 0.0001), a distinctive attributional style (P = 0.01), and increased attention to threat-related stimuli (P = 0.01).

Conclusions

DD is a distinct disorder predicated upon sensitivity to threat and biases of attention and attribution. These findings may have implications for the cognitive therapy of these disorders.

Type
Papers
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 168 , Issue 1 , January 1996 , pp. 61 - 67
Copyright
Copyright © 1996 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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