From: The content of delusions in a sample of South African Xhosa people with schizophrenia
1. Delusions of reference | 2. Persecutory delusions | 4. Somatic delusions |
People talking about them: n = 127 (63.5%) a) Who were these people? (n = 127 responses) • People in general n = 84 (66%) • Family/friends/neighbors n = 44 (36%) • Colleagues/patients/hospital staff n = 19 (15%) b) What were they doing? (n = 62 responses) • Looking at them strangely n = 35 (56%) • Saying bad things/laughing at them n = 31 (50%) • Actively plotting against them n = 6 (10%) c) How did you react? (n = 22 responses) • Passive reaction: withdraw/avoid n = 13 (59%) • Aggressive reaction: fight/attack n = 8 (36%) • No reaction n = 1 (4.5%) Receiving special messages: 105 (52.5%) a) Where were the messages from? (n = 105 responses) ▪ TV n = 92 (87.5%) ▪ Radio n = 32 (30.5%) ▪ Other (e.g.,: magazines/newspapers) n = 7 (6.5%) b) What was the message about? (n = 105 responses) • Talking to them n = 72 (68.5%) • Talking about them n = 40 (38%) • Playing out their life story/showing images of them/experiences of being inside the medium n = 18 (16.5%) c) How did you react? (n = 15 responses) • Passive/withdraw n = 2 (13.5%) • Aggressive/attack n = 3 (20%) • Assertive/speak back/turn off n = 10 (66.5%) | People plotting against you: n = 172 (86%) a) In the form of bewitchment n = 125 (72.5%) • Using a Tokoloshi n = 4 • Using Amafufunyana n = 12 b) Who were these people? (n = 172 responses) • People in general n = 65 (38%) • Family/friends/neighbors n = 102 (59%) • Colleagues/patients/hospital staff n = 15 (8.5%) c) Why were they doing this? (n = 78 responses) • Jealousy n = 71 (91%) • People don’t like me n = 6 (7.5%) • These people are bewitched n = 1 (1.5%) d) Did you seek help from anyone? (n = 21 responses) • Sangoma/Traditional healer n = 19 (90.5%) • Other: prophet/ancestor n = 2 (9.5%) | Something physically wrong: n = 73 (36.5%) • Head/brain/skull n = 31 (42.5%) • Stomach n = 19 (26%) • Whole body n = 10 (13.5%) • Heart n = 5 (7%) • Other: eyes/ears/hands/legs n = 17 (23%) |
5. Other delusions n = 42 (21%) | ||
• Relationship with famous person: n = 11 (26%) • Special relationship with God: n = 11 (26%) • Guilt/should be punished: n = 11 (26%) • Convinced partner is unfaithful: n = 10 (24%) | ||
6. Delusions of being controlled n = 118 (59%) | ||
a) Who is controlling thoughts? (n = 118 responses) • Spirit/amafufunyana/external force n = 42 (35.5%) • People in general n = 30 (25.5%) • Family/friends/neighbors n = 23 (19.5%) • TV/radio n = 8 (7%) • Other n = 18 (15%) | ||
3. Grandiose delusions | ||
Special powers: n = 118 (59%) • Wealth/success/fame n = 56 (47.5%) • God/son of God/prophet/healer n = 47 (40%) • Magical powers n = 14 (12%) • Education/intellect/knowledge n = 13 (12%) • Powerful political leader n = 9 (7.5%) | ||
7. Thought broadcasting n = 117 (58.5%) | ||
a) Who was broadcasting your thoughts? (n = 118 responses) • People in general n = 89 (76%) • TV/Radio n = 14 (12%) • Family/friends/neighbors n = 10 (8.5%) • Doctors/Traditional healers n = 2 (1.5%) • Amafufunyana n = 2 (1.5%) b) How did you react? (n = 17 responses) • Feeling angry/attack n = 6 (35.5%) • Feeling isolated/rejected/criticized n = 11 (64.5%) |