A retrospective case study of the thematic content of psychotic experiences in a first episode psychosis population

Abstract

Background

Historically, the content of psychotic experiences has tended to be of little importance to biological psychiatry, with hallucinations and delusions being seen as symptoms of mental illness rather than meaningful experiences or responses to life circumstances.

Aims

This study aims to explore the thematic content of psychotic phenomena in a sample of clients with a first episode of psychosis.

Methods

The electronic medical records of 160 services users of two Early Intervention for Psychosis Services were comprehensively reviewed. A thematic analysis was used to explore the thematic content of psychotic symptoms recorded by healthcare professionals.

Results

The results illustrate 30 themes and 85 sub-themes. This includes delusional beliefs (e.g. “being harmed, attacked or killed”, “being monitored or followed by others”, “special powers or abilities”) and hallucinations (e.g. “commanding voice”, “derogatory/critical voice”, “commentary”).

Conclusions

The results illustrate the extensive and varied experience of psychosis within this sample. Based on the findings of this study, it is hoped that future research studies and mental health services will attend to the meaning and content of psychotic experiences.

Keywords:

• Psychosis
• schizophrenia
• retrospective case study
• content
• experience
• thematic analysis

Acknowledgements

The authors thank James Sinclair and Ritchard Ledgerd at North East London Foundation Trust for their practical help and support.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.