Life hassles and delusional ideation: Scoping the potential role of cognitive and affective mediators

Abstract

Self-criticism and negative affectivity (NA) mediate the link between stressful life events and delusions suggesting they might actively elicit delusional ideation, whereas self-reassurance and PA (although negatively associated with life hassles) have no unique predictive link to delusions. This study offers initial evidence that NA and self-criticism may be viable clinical intervention targets for early psychosis-sufferers under stress - especially for medically non-compliant and marginal (where drug treatment is not clinically indicated) cases. The clinical efficacy of alleviating self-criticism and/or negative emotional processes in those displaying early psychosis or at high risk appear worthy of exploration using both practice-based case studies and formal experimental research methods.

Circuits Regulating Pleasure and Happiness in Schizophrenia: The Neurobiological Mechanism of Delusions

“…The model may correspond to the observation that delusions and hallucinations are not uncommon in the general population and not always result in a full-blown psychosis [89]. Substantial evidence suggests that psychotic-like experiences exist along a continuum in the general population [90]. Moreover, stress from life hassles can provoke delusional ideation [90].…”

“…Substantial evidence suggests that psychotic-like experiences exist along a continuum in the general population [90]. Moreover, stress from life hassles can provoke delusional ideation [90]. In line with this, Jim van Os has suggested to replace the concept of schizophrenia being an illness with the model that it is a salience dysregulation syndrome [91][92][93].…”

Psychophysiology of Chronic Stress: An Example of Mind-body Interaction

“…Thus, it is all about the context of the individual how the situation is perceived and the level of distress produced (Folkman 2013;Jeronimus et al, 2013;Schneiderman et al, 2005). The experience of behavioural changes in response to stress hormones can exacerbate moods, a factor of internal environment disruption (Kingston and Schuurmans-Stekhoven, 2016;Lieberman et al, 2002).…”

“…Depression is not merely a sudden change in mood, laziness as a sign of weakness, or character flaw. It is more than the feeling of sadness that brings intense feelings of hopelessness and dejection to a point where the mind cannot take part in everyday life and normal functioning (Kingston et al, 2016). Hence, depression is a health condition that needs understanding, treatment, and care.…”

A Review on the Effectiveness of Current Approaches to Stress Management

“…The proposed imbalance involved hyperactivity of the Th2 system leading to some forms of immune hypersensitivity, while also increasing risk of some illnesses associated with decreased immune system function, such as infection and cancer. 16 of psychological issues such as delusions, 17 depression and anxiety (see below for further information). 18 This is particularly true regarding chronic stressors.…”