Definition

1. Noun:
   • A fixed, false belief: A psychotic belief is a firmly held conviction that is not based in reality or is contradicted by evidence and reason. It is a symptom of certain mental disorders, such as schizophrenia or delusional disorder.

Usage

• The term is a clinical term used primarily in psychology and psychiatry. It describes a specific type of thought disturbance.
• It is used to categorize and discuss symptoms in a diagnostic or therapeutic context.
• Example: "The patient's primary symptom was a that he was being monitored by government satellites."

Examples

• Noun:
  • The psychiatrist documented the patient's psychotic belief that his thoughts were being broadcast on the radio.
  • A common psychotic belief is the conviction of having a special relationship with a famous person, despite no evidence of contact.
  • Treatment often focuses on managing the distress caused by the psychotic belief rather than directly challenging the belief itself.

Advanced Usage

• "to hold a psychotic belief": To be convinced of a reality that is not shared by others and is impervious to evidence.
  • Despite all logical arguments, she held the psychotic belief that her food was poisoned.
• "systematized psychotic belief": A complex, detailed, and internally consistent false belief system.
  • His delusion was not a single idea but a whole systematized psychotic belief involving spies and secret codes.

Variants and Related Words

• Delusion (n): This is the most common synonym and standard clinical term for a .
• Delusional (adj): Describes a person or idea characterized by such beliefs.
  • He was diagnosed with a delusional disorder.

Synonyms

• Delusion: A false personal belief that is not subject to reason or contradictory evidence.
• Fixed false belief: A more descriptive, non-clinical term with the same meaning.

Related Phrases

• Delusional thinking: The pattern of thought characterized by holding delusions or psychotic beliefs.
  • The assessment revealed clear signs of delusional thinking.

Noun

1. (psychology) an erroneous belief that is held in the face of evidence to the contrary