<blockquote>
  <p>A <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delusion" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><strong>delusion</strong></a> is a firm and fixed belief based on inadequate grounds not
  amenable to rational argument or evidence to contrary, not in sync
  with regional, cultural and educational background.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>I wonder if there is evidence that <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychotherapy" rel="nofollow noreferrer">talking therapy</a> can help with delusions (which people with schizophrenia often suffer from) - or not.</p>

<p>I assume that it depends on the form and severity of the delusion, and that there are mild forms which can be treated by talking therapy. Other forms may not be treatable by talking therapy.</p>

<p>If there are cases where talking therapy does help, is there evidence and are there (meta-)studies which techniques help best?</p>

<ul>
<li><p>asking specific questions</p></li>
<li><p>telling specific things</p></li>
<li><p>giving explanations</p></li>
<li><p>contradicting or confirming the patient</p></li>
<li><p>trying to tangle the patient up in self-experienced contradictions</p></li>
</ul>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-01-15T11:01:56.003Z
The last bullet-point in my answer at https://psychology.stackexchange.com/a/17325/7604 may help
Chris Rogers
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-01-15T17:08:44.623Z
It can help some, but your question is a bit like the one on talking one out of their delusions, which I answered here: https://psychology.stackexchange.com/a/19331/6151
r0berts
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-01-15T17:18:38.940Z
@r0berts: Very much like that question. I have found it only now, so my question is a duplicate obviously, but not knowingly. Thanks anyway for the hint!
Hans-Peter Stricker
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-01-16T13:09:58.790Z
@Hans-PeterStricker: That is fine, this is a good question, and perhaps is interested more in what is the way to help with delusions, than simply talk out of them. So it could be rephrased accordingly. In my experience delusions - i.e. thoughts are driven not so much by overtly logical processes, but by affects - the fear arising from the unusual phenomena. Your bulletpoint list is missing out  on finding the affective contact / epistemic trust with the patient and only then you might be able to influence something. I guess is that is why extended family can be more helpful e.g. in India.
r0berts
<cognitive-psychology><schizophrenia><therapy><cognitive-therapy>
Can talking therapy help with severe delusions?
Hans-Peter Stricker
# Can talking therapy help with severe delusions?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2020-01-14)

> A [**delusion**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delusion) is a firm and fixed belief based on inadequate grounds not
> amenable to rational argument or evidence to contrary, not in sync
> with regional, cultural and educational background.

I wonder if there is evidence that [talking therapy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychotherapy) can help with delusions (which people with schizophrenia often suffer from) - or not.

I assume that it depends on the form and severity of the delusion, and that there are mild forms which can be treated by talking therapy. Other forms may not be treatable by talking therapy.

If there are cases where talking therapy does help, is there evidence and are there (meta-)studies which techniques help best?

* asking specific questions
* telling specific things
* giving explanations
* contradicting or confirming the patient
* trying to tangle the patient up in self-experienced contradictions

**Tags:** cognitive-psychology, schizophrenia, therapy, cognitive-therapy

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: The last bullet-point in my answer at https://psychology.stackexchange.com/a/17325/7604 may help  
> **username_2**: It can help some, but your question is a bit like the one on talking one out of their delusions, which I answered here: https://psychology.stackexchange.com/a/19331/6151  
> **username_0**: @username_2: Very much like that question. I have found it only now, so my question is a duplicate obviously, but not knowingly. Thanks anyway for the hint!  
> **username_2**: @Hans-PeterStricker: That is fine, this is a good question, and perhaps is interested more in what is the way to help with delusions, than simply talk out of them. So it could be rephrased accordingly. In my experience delusions - i.e. thoughts are driven not so much by overtly logical processes, but by affects - the fear arising from the unusual phenomena. Your bulletpoint list is missing out  on finding the affective contact / epistemic trust with the patient and only then you might be able to influence something. I guess is that is why extended family can be more helpful e.g. in India.  

---

## 0 answers

