Article

The aim of this qualitative study was to explore what delusional
experiences mean for people with Parkinson's disease (PD) and to examine how
psychosocial factors contribute to the development and maintenance of delusional
beliefs. METHOD: Eight participants were interviewed, and interpretative
phenomenological analysis was used to identity themes within their accounts.
Participants were either recruited from a hospital-based outpatient movement
disorder clinic or from a PD support group in the north-west of England. RESULTS:
Four themes emerged from the analysis: (1) 'I got very frightened': The emotional
experience associated with delusions; (2) 'Why the hell's that happening?': Sense
of uncertainty and of losing control; (3) 'I feel like I'm disintegrating': Loss
of identity and sense of self; (4) 'I've just tried to make the best of things':
Acceptance and adjustment to experience of delusions. These interconnected themes
in participants' accounts of delusional beliefs were reflected in their
descriptions of living with, and adjusting to, PD. CONCLUSIONS: The results of
this study add to the evidence base indicating the urgent examination of
psychological alternatives to conventional, medication-based approaches to
alleviating the distress caused by delusions in people with PD.

Langue : ANGLAIS