Psychosis is a serious mental health condition that alters the way a person experiences reality. People going through psychosis may find it challenging to tell what’s real and what isn’t. They might see or hear things that others don’t (hallucinations) or will believe in a false reality (delusions). Experiencing psychosis is not a sign of weakness or failure; it’s a health condition that can be treated. If these patients receive early support, they will be able to recover or learn to manage their symptoms effectively.
Psychosis most often first appears between the ages of 16 and 30, a time of big emotional, social, and personal changes. Around 2–3% of people in countries like the UK and Australia will experience psychosis at some point in their lives. Although popular culture often paints it as strange or difficult to understand, new research is taking a kinder approach, looking at what life is actually like for those living with the condition.
Delusions as Emotional Experiences
One of the most puzzling aspects of psychosis is delusions, strong beliefs that feel real to the person experiencing them, even if they seem strange or impossible to others. Traditionally, delusions have been explained as errors in thinking caused by “glitches” in the brain. But new research suggests a very different perspective: delusions are deeply connected to intense emotions and bodily sensations and often emerge in response to trauma, shame, or overwhelming experiences.
One of the most confusing parts of psychosis is delusional beliefs that feel completely real to the person experiencing them, even if they seem strange or impossible to others. For a long time, these were thought to be just ‘brain glitches’ or errors in thinking. But new research offers a very different view: delusions are closely tied to strong emotions and physical sensations, often arising from trauma, shame, or intense life experiences.
Researchers from the University of Birmingham, the University of Melbourne, and the University of York, in collaboration with Australia’s youth mental health institute Orygen, have explored how delusions are shaped by both emotion and language. Their study, published in The Lancet Psychiatry, focuses on young adults receiving care for early psychosis and combines clinical assessment, interviews, and life-story narratives to understand how reality is experienced during psychotic episodes.
Dr. Rosa Ritunnano, a psychiatrist and lead author, explains, “Our research provides a radically different perspective on psychotic delusions, demonstrating how they emerge from the emotional, bodily, and linguistic fabric of people’s lives.”
The Body and Mind Connection
Participants in the study described intense physical sensations linked to their delusions. Some felt exposed, judged, or constantly observed, while others experienced feelings of power, awe, or spiritual connection. At times, they felt detached from their bodies or disconnected from the world, a state often called disembodiment.
Many had endured trauma, bullying, or repeated shaming before delusions appeared. For example, being publicly mocked could lead to a strong bodily feeling of being watched, which might later evolve into a belief that others are constantly observing or even hearing their thoughts, a phenomenon known as “thought broadcasting.”
Not all delusions were negative. Some involved feelings of joy, hope, love, or spiritual connection, helping participants feel empowered or reconnected to life despite the distressing circumstances that triggered psychosis.
Living in Metaphor
The study also highlights the role of language and metaphor. Humans use metaphors to describe emotions all the time: “burning with shame,” “on top of the world,” or “weighed down.” For people experiencing psychosis, these metaphors can take on a literal form. Feeling “exposed” might lead to a belief that cameras are watching them; feeling “tainted” might become a fear of contamination.
Professor Jeannette Littlemore, co-author of the study, notes, “People experiencing psychotic delusions really are living in metaphor. Their experiences are shaped by strong emotions, bodily reactions, and the way language allows them to express what cannot be said otherwise.”
Implications for Care
Many participants reported that during treatment, no one asked about the meaning behind their delusions, leaving them feeling dismissed, shamed, and isolated. The researchers believe that paying attention to the metaphors and narratives individuals with psychosis employ while listening to their emotional and physical experiences could result in more effective and compassionate care. The study shows that delusions aren’t just wrong thoughts.’ They are a person’s way of coping when life becomes too painful or overwhelming—an attempt to make sense of intense emotions and regain some balance. Seeing delusions this way can reduce stigma and help people feel truly understood, acknowledged, and supported. Psychosis isn’t simply a broken brain; it’s a deeply human response to emotional pain. The stories a person holds onto reveal both the suffering they endure and the strength they have to keep going.
