Treating Psychosis by Aaron T. Beck

Author:Aaron T. Beck
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781608824090
Publisher: New Harbinger Publications
Published: 2015-09-24T04:00:00+00:00

Etiology of Delusions

Turkington and colleagues (2009) have argued that the human brain, from an evolutionary perspective, needs the production of new beliefs for society to advance in different situations and at different times. For example, the “delusion” of being in love results because love is crucial for mating to occur as well as to create a stable attachment base for the rearing of children. According to Turkington and colleagues, the capacity to develop delusions is therefore innately human. To survive as a species, flexibility is crucial. Therefore, we all have the capacity to experience delusions. It is not a mark of “insanity” but a crucial component of our humanity. There are biological propensities; delusions are more likely in those with a predisposing genetic vulnerability where sensitivity to stress mediates excessive dopamine production leading to delusion formation. Theory of mind deficits, attributional style, and a tendency to jump to conclusions can contribute (Bentall et al., 2009). Finally, cultural aspects are important. In China, delusions about courting and spitting are very common due to their unique cultural role, while these types of delusions are rarer elsewhere. An individual’s schema formation is impacted by numerous factors, some of which are overt (for example, sexual abuse) and some of which are subtle (for example, misunderstandings by the child of environmental events). Triggering by key life events seems to be a pathway for some delusions.

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