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Are clinical delusions adaptive?

Eugenia Lancellotta1, Lisa Bortolotti1

  • 1Philosophy Department and Institute for Mental Health, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.

Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews. Cognitive Science
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Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Delusions, often seen as irrational beliefs in psychiatric disorders, may surprisingly offer adaptive benefits. This research explores how these beliefs might function as psychological or biological coping mechanisms, challenging their purely negative perception.

Keywords:
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Area of Science:

  • Philosophy of Mind
  • Cognitive Neuroscience
  • Psychiatry

Background:

  • Delusions are irrational beliefs characteristic of psychiatric disorders like schizophrenia and dementia.
  • Traditionally viewed as detrimental to functioning, their role is being re-examined.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the potential adaptive functions of delusions.
  • To explore whether delusions can be a crisis response or a problem-solving mechanism.

Main Methods:

  • Review of psychological, psychiatric, and philosophical literature.
  • Analysis of different types of delusions and their potential adaptive aspects.

Main Results:

  • Delusions may offer psychological adaptation by enhancing wellbeing, purpose, and coherence.
  • Potential biological adaptation through enhanced genetic fitness is considered.
  • A more nuanced understanding of delusions' role is emerging.

Conclusions:

  • Delusions might possess adaptive qualities, serving as coping mechanisms rather than solely pathological symptoms.
  • Further research is required to fully understand the costs and benefits of delusional beliefs.