Talk Seven
How a Series of Hallucinations Tell a Story
and Examples of Common Delusions
Gaining deeper understanding of the psychotic experience. How hallucinations can tell a symbolic story. Common experiences and delusions uncovered in discussions with four post-psychotic schizophrenics.
Topics include: How a series of hallucinations combine to form a storyline. Summary of notes from schizophrenic research group. Schizophrenic delusions contain a grain of truth. Many negative delusions from stress. Delusions reflected by mainstream people who believe some version of the delusion. Stress triggering of hallucinations and delusional thoughts. Common elements in the world view: Belief in an immediate danger of an apocalyptic end of the world; Control of most people into being blind to this reality by a nefarious, subliminal means; Division of the world into a black-and-white good people verses bad people; Ongoing battle of good vs. evil, centered on oneself; Extreme forms of mysticism; Fascination with words and the belief that words contain hidden meanings; Original ideas that are foreign to their own background but are found in the cultures of other people; Focus on death, especially in a transcendent sense. Details of some common beliefs of those in psychosis. Potential contributions by schizophrenics to research: Common beliefs and a lexicon to aid communication with those in psychosis; Identifying the origins and triggers of delusions/hallucinations; Identifying the moment of understanding of accepting diagnosis.