Psychotic symptoms in the general population – an evolutionary perspective
Ian Kelleher, Jack A. Jenner, Mary Cannon
The British Journal of Psychiatry August 31, 2010 DOI: 10.1192/bjp.bp.109.076018 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Citations | 82 |
| Key points | Argues that psychotic symptoms occur in the general population more frequently than previously recognized, and proposes that this non-clinical phenotype may be understood in an evolutionary context, potentially explaining the persistence of psychosis and offering new research directions. |
Abstract
Our ideas about the intrinsically pathological nature of hallucinations and delusions are being challenged by findings from epidemiology, neuroimaging and clinical research. Population-based studies using both self-report and interview surveys show that the prevalence of psychotic symptoms is far greater than had been previously considered, prompting us to re-evaluate these psychotic symptoms and their meaning in an evolutionary context. This non-clinical phenotype may hold the key to understanding the persistence of psychosis in the population. From a neuroscientific point of view, detailed investigation of the non-clinical psychosis phenotype should provide novel leads for research into the aetiology, nosology and treatment of psychosis.