Scientists have explained how emotions turn into delusions

Delusions in psychosis may not be the result of "thinking failures" but a reflection of deeply felt emotions and bodily sensations.

This is the conclusion reached by scientists from the University of Birmingham, the University of Melbourne and the University of York. The study is published in The Lancet Psychiatry.

In popular culture, delusions are usually presented as ridiculous and inexplicable beliefs caused by impairments in logic or brain function. However, a new study offers a fundamentally different interpretation.

Researchers examined the experiences of young people undergoing treatment after a first episode of psychosis. They used clinical assessments, in-depth interviews and life story analyses to understand how sense of self and perceptions of reality change during psychosis.

The authors concluded that delirium is shaped by strong emotions, bodily reactions and language. In this state, the person literally "lives out the metaphor" by expressing inner feelings through symbolic images and beliefs.

Research has shown that delusions are often associated with experiences of shame, fear, vulnerability or, conversely, feelings of power and special significance. Participants described fluctuating between states of strong emotional involvement - such as feeling chosen or connected to God - and feeling alienated from their own bodies and the world around them.

In many cases, the development of delusions was preceded by traumatic events, including humiliation or bullying. Repeated experiences of shame, such as public ridicule, may have led to a sense of constant surveillance. Over time, this developed into a belief that others were reading one's mind or watching one's every action.

The researchers emphasise that delusions are not always negative. For some participants it was accompanied by feelings of delight, love and spiritual uplift, helping to form a new identity and restore hope for the future.

The scientists paid special attention to language. Patients often used figurative expressions and metaphors, linking bodily sensations to abstract emotions. For example, the feeling of being "contaminated" could manifest as a belief of contamination, and the feeling of being "naked" could manifest as a belief in hidden surveillance cameras.

According to the authors, such metaphors are not a sign of irrationality, but reflect the psyche's attempt to restore meaning and emotional balance in the face of overwhelm. However, study participants noted that during treatment they were rarely given the opportunity to discuss the meaning of their experiences, which increased feelings of shame and isolation.

The researchers believe that understanding the emotional and bodily nature of delirium may help create more effective and compassionate approaches to treating psychosis.