Cognitive and affective perspectives on formation and maintenance of grandiose delusions of a patient with schizophrenia.

Résumé

We report on a woman with first-episode schizophrenia with grandiose delusions. She developed a bizarre delusion that she was 'Jesus', who had special powers to talk to animals and predict the future. The grandiose delusions were maintained by her positive emotions, positive imagery of becoming an extraordinary person, and cognitive biases. With the application of cognitive and affective model for formulation of an intervention plan, it was found that the patient had improvement in lowered shamefulness about herself and skills of setting appropriate expectations. The assessment and treatment process of this patient shows the value of applying theory to case formulation and making a care plan for the case management service for patients with first-episode psychosis. This report has clear limitations in that it is a discussion of a single patient, and the case formulation is speculative at this time. The formation and maintenance of grandiose delusions are discussed from the cognitive and affective perspectives.