ABSTRACT
This chapter proposes cognitive theories of delusions to account for the dimension of delusional conviction. Emotional distress seems to be common in individuals with persecutory delusions. Levels of prior emotional distress may determine the content of a belief system and associated appraisals, while the belief is then likely to affect emotional state. Data were presented on major co-morbid positive symptoms of psychosis, emotional distress, and dimensional aspects of delusions. The delusion as defence account of persecutory delusions includes a close link between persecutory delusions and emotion. Delusions are a product of its level prior to psychosis and the effect upon self- esteem of the experience of psychiatric illness. The design was a cross-sectional investigation of individuals with persecutory delusions. Data are displayed for levels of delusional distress and anxiety by responses for the imminence of harm, the pervasiveness of harm, the type of harm, and the presence of rescue factors.
