Anatomy of Delusion - Softcover

A delusion is a belief held with strong conviction despite superior evidence to the contrary. As a pathology, it is distinct from a belief based on false or incomplete information, confabulation, dogma, illusion, or other effects of perception. Delusions typically occur in the context of neurological or mental illness, although they are not tied to any particular disease and have been found to occur in the context of many pathological states (both physical and mental). However, they are of particular diagnostic importance in psychotic disorders including schizophrenia, paraphrenia, manic episodes of bipolar disorder, and psychotic depression. Yet, it is accepted that preventing or curing delusional thinking has not yet acquired a tactical procedure or approach. What this ostensibly means is that the essence of any bona fide delusion is simply not understood by the vast majority of theoretical and/or practicing clinicians. It means that historically, the trigger, the motive, and the psychic arrangement of forces of the phenomenon defined as delusion have been elusive.

Anatomy of Delusion by psychologist and psychoanalyst Henry Kellerman explores what a delusion is, then provides an analytical and descriptive explanation of firsthand modalities of treatment for this mental disorder.

Of special note are the illustrative case histories cited.

Extraordinarily well written, organized and presented, Anatomy of Delusion is informed and informative reading, making it highly recommended for personal, community, and academic library Psychology/Psychotherapy/Counseling reference collections and supplemental-studies reading lists.--The Midwest Book Review (05/01/2015)

There exist a plethora of definitions to the concept of delusion. Some are quite general, some more specific, and some more in-depth. Yet, it is accepted that preventing or curing delusional thinking has not yet acquired a tactical procedure or approach.

Ostensibly, this means that the essence of any bona fide delusion is simply not understood by the vast majority of theoretical and/or practicing clinicians. Historically, it means that the trigger, the motive, and the psychic arrangement of forces of the phenomenon defined as delusion have been elusive. Dr. Kellerman, the author of Personality: How it Forms, brings the problem of delusion into sharper focus for a better understanding.