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Delusions: The continuum versus category debate
Investigator(s) / AuthorsRichard Mullen
| Principal contact | |
|---|---|
| Name | Dr Richard Mullen |
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Email address is not available; please contact keadmin@tepou.co.nz for more information. |
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| The research | |
| Summary | Critical review of the recently developed idea that delusions are best considered as part of a continuum along with more ordinary human beliefs. |
| Objectives | Critical review of the recently developed idea that delusions are best considered as part of a continuum along with more ordinary human beliefs. |
| Study design | A literature review of the area was guided by a Medline search, and supplemented with material already known to the author. Claims that recent research supports the continuum hypothesis is critiqued. |
| Methods | Qualitative |
| Results | The argument and evidence advanced for the continuum approach to delusions depends largely on: (i) inadequacies of prevailing definitions of delusion, particularly in the light of evidence that delusional conviction is often not absolute; and (ii) the high prevalence of unusual beliefs in community populations. To the extent that the delusion construct contains much in addition to conviction and unusual or false belief content, the continuity approach is weak. The category of delusions continues to have some validity. |
| Conclusions | Both categorical and continuous approaches to delusions have validity that depends at any time on our immediate clinical or scientific needs. No definitive resolution of the category versus continuum debate is likely to emerge. |
| Key Descriptors | Symptoms |
| Disciplines | Psychology, Multi disciplinary |
| Settings | Other |
| Diagnostic Categories | Psychotic Disorders, Schizophrenia |
| Populations | General Population |
| Other Keywords | category, continuum, delusion |
| Ethics approval | Yes |
| Academic led | Yes |
| Service led | No |
| How were service users involved | No involvement |
| Publication in peer review journal | Yes |
| Supporting information | |
| Uploaded files |
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Page last updated: 7 November 2008