Recovery from delusions. Three phases documented by patient's interpretation of research procedures.

Abstract

The experiences of acutely psychotic patients during research procedures reveal important characteristics of the process of recovery from delusional thought. Changes in the patients' perceptions and interpretations of testing experiences parallel changes in their clinical status and are used to demonstrate the continuum between delusional and nondelusional thinking. Three specific phases are defined: the delusional, double-awareness, and nondelusional phases. The interaction between this regular sequence of changes and the patients' participation in research is examined with particular reference to the process of recovery from delusions.