Decoding Delusions: A Comprehensive Guide for Clinicians

Delusions and strong beliefs can be profoundly distressing and limiting for individuals, presenting significant challenges for mental health professionals. The lack of consensus around what constitutes a delusion adds to the complexity.

For the first time, Decoding Delusions brings together literature and treatment guidance materials to provide clinicians with an up-to-date, culturally informed, and illustrated guide to managing the spectrum of delusions and extreme beliefs in daily practice.

Understanding Delusions: A Multifaceted Approach

In Part I, chapter authors define and assess delusions, examining the current research literature into their linguistic and cultural aspects, as well as the history of their treatment. Crucially, it also provides a lived-experience perspective, offering a deeper understanding of the complexities surrounding delusions.

Effective Interventions for Delusional Presentations

Part II features insights from international experts on interventions, including third-wave cognitive-behavioral models such as compassion-focused therapy, for delusional presentations including:

• Persecutory paranoia
• Delusional jealousy
• Erotomania
• Capgras syndrome
• Delusions of thought possession
• Trauma as a pathway to delusions

Readers will also find a nuanced discussion on working with patients from Japanese backgrounds, enhancing cultural competency and encouraging consideration of extreme beliefs through a cultural lens.

Delusions in Specific Settings: Effective Management Strategies

In Part III, chapter authors explore the management of delusions in specific settings, including delusions in forensic settings and the use of remote technologies such as Zoom and digital media for measurement-based care. Live-action demonstrations of key clinical skills at work are provided through video clips.

Decoding Delusions proposes an innovative approach that supports the exploration of extreme beliefs with the aim not only of distress reduction but also meaningful recovery.

Product Details:

Publisher: Amer Psychiatric Pub Inc

Publication Date: June 11, 2023

Language: English

Format: Paperback

Pages: 414

ISBN-10: 1615372954

ISBN-13: 978-1615372959