Hallucinations and delusions

Photo of a mural depicting a person and a horse on a tall building with two men in the foreground looking up.

Beliefs have a social purpose. Does this explain delusions?

Beliefs have a social purpose. To understand delusions, let’s focus on why they’re so often about other people

by Anna Greenburgh

Photo of a cloudy sky with large white and grey clouds against a backdrop of blue sky.

When the human tendency to detect patterns goes too far

‘Apophenia’ is reflected in pleasant and troubling experiences alike – from seeing faces in clouds to conspiracy beliefs

by Shayla Love

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AGEING

How I met my mother: dementia brought back her true self

In dementia, my mother lived with the friendly ghosts of her past – and I got to know her as someone other than just my mum

by Ina Kjøgx Pedersen

A man in a suit and hat floats above the heads of onlookers beside an office building, holding a mobile phone.

It’s not necessarily deluded to feel in control when you’re not

Far from being a sign of delusion, the so-called ‘illusion of control’ shows that we’re highly attuned to the world

by Daniel Yon

A painting of a figure standing near a bed with a patterned red and cream wall in the background.

Philosophy can help us connect, even in the face of psychosis

How phenomenological tools can help foster a relationship of true listening between clinicians and people with psychosis

by Rosa Ritunnano & Kasim Qureshi

Photo of a person walking past a mural of large, realistic teeth and lips on a wall, with the mural dominating the background.

If you hear voices, here are some empowering ways to respond

Hearing voices isn’t always a problem – but if they’re stressful or frightening, it is possible to regain a sense of control

by Mark Hayward