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A Clinically Based Rule of Thumb for Classifying Delusions

Conventional psychodynamic treatment assumptions sometimes warned against direct confrontation of a patient's delusions because delusions were believed to serve defensive functions. Based in part on research findings, some have recently asserted that it can be beneficial for the clinician to ch...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Schizophrenia bulletin 1995, Vol.21 (2), p.323-331
Main Author: Walkup, James
Format: Article
Language:English
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Summary:Conventional psychodynamic treatment assumptions sometimes warned against direct confrontation of a patient's delusions because delusions were believed to serve defensive functions. Based in part on research findings, some have recently asserted that it can be beneficial for the clinician to challenge a patient's delusional beliefs. Short-term positive results from such confrontations have been reported. I review clinical and research considerations that may aid the clinician in deciding when confrontation may be beneficial. I identify a class of delusions that are unlikely to respond to confrontation. Alternative clinical responses to this class are suggested.
ISSN:0586-7614
1745-1701
DOI:10.1093/schbul/21.2.323