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Updated: May 7, 2026

Continuous Theta Burst Stimulation of the Posterior Medial Frontal Cortex to Experimentally Reduce Ideological Threat Responses

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[Between faith and delusion].

Jan Rosenleitner¹, Hans Rittmannsberger

¹Abteilung Psychiatrie 1, Landes-Nervenklinik Wagner-Jauregg, Wagner-Jauregg-Weg 15, 4020, Linz, Österreich. jan.rosenleitner@gespag.at

Neuropsychiatrie : Klinik, Diagnostik, Therapie Und Rehabilitation : Organ Der Gesellschaft Osterreichischer Nervenarzte Und Psychiater

|September 27, 2013

Summary

Distinguishing religious faith from delusion in psychiatric diagnosis is challenging due to subjective reality assessments. This study proposes a practical diagnostic model for delusions to aid clinicians.

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Area of Science:

Psychiatry
Philosophy of Science

Background:

Psychiatric diagnosis faces challenges differentiating religious beliefs from delusions.
Delusion is defined as a false belief with subjective certainty, conflicting with social reality.
Assessing reality is problematic due to its subjective, culturally variable nature and lack of scientific criteria.

Observation:

Current diagnostic manuals like DSM-5 and ICD-10 acknowledge cultural context in diagnosing delusions.
The content of a belief must be inadequate within the patient's subculture (ICD-10).
Patient's cultural and socioeconomic background must be considered (DSM-5).

Findings:

The abstract highlights the difficulty in scientifically examining reality for diagnostic purposes.
It emphasizes the cultural and historical variability in the assessment of reality.
A case report and literature review are used to discuss this diagnostic problem.

Implications:

A new, practical diagnostic model for delusions is proposed for routine psychiatric use.
This model aims to simplify the diagnostic process for clinicians.
Improved diagnostic accuracy for delusions can lead to more effective treatment strategies.