Delusion
Abstract
Delusion is fundamentally different from dreams, fantasies, and illusions. It is the product of the psychotic mind, which operates through sensory mechanisms and generates representations that appear real but are not true and cannot be shared. Unlike symbolic formations that emerge from the unconscious, delusional constructions do not respond to symbolic interpretation. The analyst must listen attentively and for an extended period, striving to understand how the patient constructs these delusions.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Psychoanalysis and Psychopathology Research
Mental Health and Psychiatry
Psychology and Mental Health
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Psychosis
- Pages
- 9–16
- Publication date
- 2 February 2026
- Language
- EN
- Document type
- Book chapter