Address of Corresponding Author

Psychopathology 2005;38:144-150 (DOI: 10.1159/000085845)

  Key Words

• Internet delusion
• Cultural influences
• Pathoplasticity
• Collaborative empiricism

  Abstract

Background: Delusions involving the internet have been reported as examples of the influence of cultural innovations on delusion formation, although there has been some debate as to whether such innovations simply affect surface content, or whether they have more substantial clinical or psychopathological implications. Sampling and Methods: Four cases of patients with delusions involving the internet were identified following a general request to local consultant psychiatrists for referrals. Results: The internet had a specific effect on aetiology in one case, and knowledge of the internet seemed to constrain the type of delusion formed in two others. The presence of an internet-related delusion in the final case was used to frame a successful clinical intervention based on the 'collaborative empiricism' method, using cognitive behavioural therapy and collaborative use of the internet to resolve the delusional belief. Conclusions: Cultural technical innovations may have specific influences on the form, origin and content of delusional beliefs. For some patients the presence of internet-themed delusions may be a good prognostic indicator since, given the rich sources of information available, they may be well suited to treatment with cognitive behavioural therapy.

Copyright © 2005 S. Karger AG, Basel

  Author Contacts

Vaughan Bell
School of Psychology, Cardiff University
Park Place, Cardiff, CF10 3YG (UK)
Tel. +44 29 2087 6504, Fax +44 29 2087 4858
E-Mail BellV1@cardiff.ac.uk

  Article Information

Received: June 11, 2004
Accepted after revision: November 30, 2004
Published online: May 19, 2005
Number of Print Pages : 7
Number of Figures : 1, Number of Tables : 1, Number of References : 36