The Proximity between Hallucination and Delusion Dimensions: An Observational, Analytic, Cross-Sectional, Multicentre Study

Abstract

In psychiatric classifications, hallucinations (mainly auditory hallucinations) are one of the fundamental criteria for establishing a schizophrenia diagnosis or any of the related psychotic disorder's diagnoses. The conceptual proximity between delusions and hallucinations was maintained until the end of the XIX century, with several supporters during the XX century. Their limits were not yet definitely defined in terms of Descriptive Psychopathology, and much less so in terms of biochemical and anatomical models. In this article we aimed to analyse the dimensions of both hallucinations and delusions in a sample of patients with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. We also intend to find the determinants of the main dimensions of hallucinations. One hundred patients with schizophrenia (80) or schizoaffective disorder (20), 64% males, mean age 39.75, from the outpatient and inpatient units of the Psychiatry Department of Hospital de Santa Maria and the Centro Hospitalar Psiquiátrico de Lisboa were assessed by means of the Psychotic Symptom Rating Scales (PSYRATS) and a structured interview. In this study we designed an empirical based model by means of bivariate Spearman's rank correlation coefficient, and multivariate statistics (linear regression and multiple multivariate linear regression), where the main dimensions of hallucinations are determined by the central dimensions of delusions.

Cortical control of chandelier cells in neural codes

“…Schizophrenia is a psychiatric disorder that is associated with cognitive symptoms such as delusion, hallucinations, and disorganized thought (Elvevag and Goldberg, 2000 ; Telles-Correia et al, 2016 ). Specifically, cognitive dysfunctions in schizophrenia consist of overarching deficits in the ability to adjust thoughts or behaviors in a manner to achieve goals (Cho et al, 2006 ; Lesh et al, 2011 ).…”

Achieving stable remission with maintenance electroconvulsive therapy in a patient with treatment-resistant schizophrenia

“…In total, 24 ECT treatments were administered over a 1-year period, and the treatment success was evaluated by the Psychotic Symptom Rating Scales (PSYRATS), (Table 1 ). [ 44 , 45 ] Before beginning ECT treatment, the patient showed clear deficits in almost every PSYRATS subscale; however, after 24 ECT treatment sessions, the symptom severity was much weaker and limited to only some of the PSYRATS subscales (see tables). His neuroleptic medication, olanzapine (10 mg given morning and night), remained stable during the treatment course.…”

Delusional Themes Across Affective and Non-Affective Psychoses

“…Such a debate involves different epistemologies ( 20 ) and has important diagnostic and therapeutic implications. It is an important question whether the careful analysis of delusions in terms of content, structure, and relationship with other symptoms such as disordered mood ( 24 ) and hallucinations ( 25 ) may contribute to a more accurate diagnostic evaluation, or whether it can be dismissed in favor of a view of delusion as a non-specific, though polymorphic, symptom needing focused attention and treatment. Until now, the empirical literature does not seem to provide a definite answer to this question, as the available evidence does not allow to firmly reject any of the two hypotheses.…”