Jackson F SooHoo, Christal N Davis, Angela Han, Zeal Jinwala, Joel Gelernter, Richard Feinn, Henry R Kranzler
{"title":"Associations of Childhood Adversity and Polygenic Scores with Substance Use Initiation and Disorder Severity - ERRATUM.","authors":"Jackson F SooHoo, Christal N Davis, Angela Han, Zeal Jinwala, Joel Gelernter, Richard Feinn, Henry R Kranzler","doi":"10.1017/S0033291725100615","DOIUrl":"10.1017/S0033291725100615","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":20891,"journal":{"name":"Psychological Medicine","volume":"55 ","pages":"e159"},"PeriodicalIF":5.9,"publicationDate":"2025-05-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12115262/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144120005","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Giuseppe Fanelli, Jamie Robinson, Chiara Fabbri, Janita Bralten, Nina Roth Mota, Martina Arenella, Maroš Rovný, Emma Sprooten, Barbara Franke, Martien Kas, Till F M Andlauer, Alessandro Serretti
{"title":"Shared genetics and causal relationship between sociability and the brain's default mode network.","authors":"Giuseppe Fanelli, Jamie Robinson, Chiara Fabbri, Janita Bralten, Nina Roth Mota, Martina Arenella, Maroš Rovný, Emma Sprooten, Barbara Franke, Martien Kas, Till F M Andlauer, Alessandro Serretti","doi":"10.1017/S0033291725000832","DOIUrl":"10.1017/S0033291725000832","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The brain's default mode network (DMN) plays a role in social cognition, with altered DMN function being associated with social impairments across various neuropsychiatric disorders. However, the genetic basis linking sociability with DMN function remains underexplored. This study aimed to elucidate the shared genetics and causal relationship between sociability and DMN-related resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI) traits.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We conducted a comprehensive genomic analysis using large-scale genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary statistics for sociability and 31 activity and 64 connectivity DMN-related rs-fMRI traits (<i>N</i> = 34,691-342,461). We performed global and local genetic correlations analyses and bi-directional Mendelian randomization (MR) to assess shared and causal effects. We prioritized genes influencing both sociability and rs-fMRI traits by combining expression quantitative trait loci MR analyses, the CELLECT framework - integrating single-nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq) data with GWAS - and network propagation within a protein-protein interaction network.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Significant local genetic correlations were identified between sociability and two rs-fMRI traits, one representing spontaneous activity within the temporal cortex, the other representing connectivity between the cingulate and angular/temporal cortices. MR analyses suggested potential causal effects of sociability on 12 rs-fMRI traits. Seventeen genes were highly prioritized, with <i>LINGO1</i>, <i>ELAVL2</i>, and <i>CTNND1</i> emerging as top candidates. Among these, <i>DRD2</i> was also identified, serving as a robust internal validation of our approach.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>By combining genomic and transcriptomic data, our gene prioritization strategy may serve as a blueprint for future studies. Our findings can guide further research into the biological mechanisms underlying sociability and its role in the development, prognosis, and treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders.</p>","PeriodicalId":20891,"journal":{"name":"Psychological Medicine","volume":"55 ","pages":"e157"},"PeriodicalIF":5.9,"publicationDate":"2025-05-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12115276/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144120442","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Whitney R Ringwald, Scott Feltman, Sean A P Cloutson, Frank Mann, Camilo Ruggero, Evelyn Bromet, Benjamin J Luft, Roman Kotov
{"title":"Stress dynamics that maintain posttraumatic stress disorder across 20 years.","authors":"Whitney R Ringwald, Scott Feltman, Sean A P Cloutson, Frank Mann, Camilo Ruggero, Evelyn Bromet, Benjamin J Luft, Roman Kotov","doi":"10.1017/S0033291725000686","DOIUrl":"10.1017/S0033291725000686","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is often chronic and impairing. Mechanisms that maintain symptoms remain poorly understood because of heterogenous presentation. We parsed this heterogeneity by examining how individual differences in stress-symptom dynamics relate to the long-term maintenance of PTSD.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We studied 7,308 trauma-exposed World Trade Center responders who self-reported PTSD symptoms and stressful life events at annual monitoring visits for up to 20 years (average = 8.8 visits; [range = 4-16]). We used multilevel structural equation models to separate the stable and time-varying components of symptoms and stressors. At the within-person level, we modeled stress reactivity by cross-lagged associations between stress and future symptoms, stress generation by cross-lagged associations between symptoms and future stress, and autoregressive effects represented symptom persistence and stress persistence. The clinical utility of the stress-symptom dynamics was evaluated by associations with PTSD chronicity and mental health care use.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Stress reactivity, stress generation, and symptom persistence were significant on average (bs = 0.03-0.16). There were significant individual differences in the strength of each dynamic (interquartile ranges = 0.06-0.12). Correlations among within-person processes showed some dynamics are intertwined (e.g. more reactive people also generate stress in a vicious cycle) and others represent distinct phenotypes (e.g. people are reactive or have persistent symptoms). Initial trauma severity amplified some dynamics. People in the top deciles of most dynamics had clinically significant symptom levels across the monitoring period and their health care cost 6-17× more per year than people at median levels.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Individual differences in stress-symptom dynamics contribute to the chronicity and clinical burden of PTSD.</p>","PeriodicalId":20891,"journal":{"name":"Psychological Medicine","volume":"55 ","pages":"e151"},"PeriodicalIF":5.9,"publicationDate":"2025-05-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12094632/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144094675","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
William E Copeland, Shania Prytherch, W Rothenberg, Jennifer W Godwin, Lauren Gaydosh, Iliya Gutin, Guangyu Tong, Lilly Shanahan
{"title":"Impact of young adult life transitions on adult mental health problems: a propensity score analysis.","authors":"William E Copeland, Shania Prytherch, W Rothenberg, Jennifer W Godwin, Lauren Gaydosh, Iliya Gutin, Guangyu Tong, Lilly Shanahan","doi":"10.1017/S0033291725001072","DOIUrl":"10.1017/S0033291725001072","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Mental health problems commonly persist from childhood to adulthood. This study tested whether young adult life transitions can improve adult mental health symptoms after adjusting for childhood mental health symptoms.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The analysis uses data from the prospective, representative Great Smoky Mountains Study. Life transitions (e.g., high school completion, partnering, parenthood, and living independently) were assessed up to three times in young adulthood (ages 18 to 26; 3,241 observations). A cumulative variable counted the number of young adult transitions. Emotional, substance use, and antisocial personality symptoms were assessed at age 30 (1,154 participants or 81.2% of the original sample). Propensity models adjusted for early life adversities and psychiatric symptoms.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Multiple young adult transitions were common (m = 4.62; SD = 1.57). After adjusting for childhood mental health problems and adversities, each additional transition was significantly associated with a reduction in subsequent adult emotional symptoms (β = -0.34, 95% CI: -0.59, -0.08, <i>p</i> = 0.01) and adult antisocial personality disorder symptoms (β = -0.08, 95% CI: -0.14, -0.02, <i>p</i> < 0.001. These associations were stronger in males than in females. Young adult transitions were not associated with reductions in subsequent substance use symptoms (β = -0.04; 95% CI: -0.11, 0.03, <i>p</i> = 0.30). Young adult transitions related to educational milestones and consistent employment were associated with the largest reductions in symptoms.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>In this cohort study, life transitions during young adulthood were associated with reduced emotional and behavioral symptoms in adulthood. These transitions may constitute a potential mental health turning point and a specific, modifiable target for social policies.</p>","PeriodicalId":20891,"journal":{"name":"Psychological Medicine","volume":"55 ","pages":"e152"},"PeriodicalIF":5.9,"publicationDate":"2025-05-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12094619/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144094671","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Mara F Maranhão, Nara Estella, Maria Elisa G Cury, Ulrike Schmidt, Iain C Campbell, Angélica M Claudino
{"title":"Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation of the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex in binge eating disorder: a double-blind randomized controlled trial.","authors":"Mara F Maranhão, Nara Estella, Maria Elisa G Cury, Ulrike Schmidt, Iain C Campbell, Angélica M Claudino","doi":"10.1017/S0033291725000492","DOIUrl":"10.1017/S0033291725000492","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Binge-eating disorder (BED) is characterized by highly distressing episodes of loss-of-control over-eating. We have examined the use of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) for the treatment of people with BED and associated obesity. Such non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) techniques are used therapeutically in several psychiatric conditions and there is an associated scientific rationale.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Sixty participants were randomly allocated to receive 20 sessions of neuronavigated 10 Hz rTMS administered to the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) or sham treatment. Primary outcomes were the frequency of binge eating episodes (BEE) and the 'urge to eat' (craving) evaluated at baseline and end-of-treatment (8 weeks post-randomization). Secondary outcomes included body mass index (BMI), hunger, general and specific eating disorder psychopathology. Follow-up analyses were conducted for most outcomes at 16 weeks post-randomization. Multilevel models were used to evaluate group, time, and group-by-time interactions for the association between rTMS exposure and outcomes.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The real rTMS group (compared with sham treatment), showed a significantly greater decrease in the number of BEE at the end of treatment (Estimated Mean [EM]: 2.41 95% CI: 1.84-3.15 versus EM: 1.45 95% CI: 1.05-1.99, p = 0.02), and at follow-up (EM: 3.79 95% CI: 3-4.78 versus EM: 2.45 95% CI: 1.88-3.17, p = 0.02; group × time interaction analysis p = 0.02). No group differences were found for other comparisons.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>rTMS was associated with reduced BEE during and after treatment: it suggests rTMS is a promising intervention for BED.</p>","PeriodicalId":20891,"journal":{"name":"Psychological Medicine","volume":"55 ","pages":"e149"},"PeriodicalIF":5.9,"publicationDate":"2025-05-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12094624/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144079987","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Classification of internet addiction using machine learning on electroencephalography synchronization and functional connectivity.","authors":"Hsu-Wen Huang, Po-Yu Li, Meng-Cin Chen, You-Xun Chang, Chih-Ling Liu, Po-Wei Chen, Qiduo Lin, Chemin Lin, Chih-Mao Huang, Shun-Chi Wu","doi":"10.1017/S0033291725001035","DOIUrl":"10.1017/S0033291725001035","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Internet addiction (IA) refers to excessive internet use that causes cognitive impairment or distress. Understanding the neurophysiological mechanisms underpinning IA is crucial for enabling an accurate diagnosis and informing treatment and prevention strategies. Despite the recent increase in studies examining the neurophysiological traits of IA, their findings often vary. To enhance the accuracy of identifying key neurophysiological characteristics of IA, this study used the phase lag index (PLI) and weighted PLI (WPLI) methods, which minimize volume conduction effects, to analyze the resting-state electroencephalography (EEG) functional connectivity. We further evaluated the reliability of the identified features for IA classification using various machine learning methods.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Ninety-two participants (42 with IA and 50 healthy controls (HCs)) were included. PLI and WPLI values for each participant were computed, and values exhibiting significant differences between the two groups were selected as features for the subsequent classification task.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Support vector machine (SVM) achieved an 83% accuracy rate using PLI features and an improved 86% accuracy rate using WPLI features. <i>t</i>-test results showed analogous topographical patterns for both the WPLI and PLI. Numerous connections were identified within the delta and gamma frequency bands that exhibited significant differences between the two groups, with the IA group manifesting an elevated level of phase synchronization.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Functional connectivity analysis and machine learning algorithms can jointly distinguish participants with IA from HCs based on EEG data. PLI and WPLI have substantial potential as biomarkers for identifying the neurophysiological traits of IA.</p>","PeriodicalId":20891,"journal":{"name":"Psychological Medicine","volume":"55 ","pages":"e148"},"PeriodicalIF":5.9,"publicationDate":"2025-05-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12094629/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144079982","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Mariah T Hawes, Stephanie Marcello, Evan M Kleiman
{"title":"We need more research on inpatient group therapy: A call to action.","authors":"Mariah T Hawes, Stephanie Marcello, Evan M Kleiman","doi":"10.1017/S0033291725000960","DOIUrl":"10.1017/S0033291725000960","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":20891,"journal":{"name":"Psychological Medicine","volume":"55 ","pages":"e150"},"PeriodicalIF":5.9,"publicationDate":"2025-05-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12094616/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144079990","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Xiang Zhao, Seyma Katrinli, Beth M McCormick, Mark W Miller, Nicole R Nugent, Agaz H Wani, Anthony S Zannas, Allison E Aiello, Dewleen G Baker, Marco P Boks, Chia-Yen Chen, Catherine B Fortier, Joel Gelernter, Elbert Geuze, Karestan C Koenen, Sarah D Linnstaedt, Jurjen J Luykx, Adam X Maihofer, Samuel A McLean, William P Milberg, Andrew Ratanatharathorn, Kerry J Ressler, Victoria B Risbrough, Bart P F Rutten, Jordan W Smoller, Murray B Stein, Robert J Ursano, Eric Vermetten, Christiaan H Vinkers, Erin B Ware, Derek E Wildman, Ying Zhao, Mark W Logue, Caroline M Nievergelt, Alicia K Smith, Monica Uddin, Erika J Wolf
{"title":"PTSD and epigenetic aging: a longitudinal meta-analysis.","authors":"Xiang Zhao, Seyma Katrinli, Beth M McCormick, Mark W Miller, Nicole R Nugent, Agaz H Wani, Anthony S Zannas, Allison E Aiello, Dewleen G Baker, Marco P Boks, Chia-Yen Chen, Catherine B Fortier, Joel Gelernter, Elbert Geuze, Karestan C Koenen, Sarah D Linnstaedt, Jurjen J Luykx, Adam X Maihofer, Samuel A McLean, William P Milberg, Andrew Ratanatharathorn, Kerry J Ressler, Victoria B Risbrough, Bart P F Rutten, Jordan W Smoller, Murray B Stein, Robert J Ursano, Eric Vermetten, Christiaan H Vinkers, Erin B Ware, Derek E Wildman, Ying Zhao, Mark W Logue, Caroline M Nievergelt, Alicia K Smith, Monica Uddin, Erika J Wolf","doi":"10.1017/S0033291725000558","DOIUrl":"10.1017/S0033291725000558","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been associated with advanced epigenetic age cross-sectionally, but the association between these variables over time is unclear. This study conducted meta-analyses to test whether new-onset PTSD diagnosis and changes in PTSD symptom severity over time were associated with changes in two metrics of epigenetic aging over two time points.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We conducted meta-analyses of the association between change in PTSD diagnosis and symptom severity and change in epigenetic age acceleration/deceleration (age-adjusted DNA methylation age residuals as per the Horvath and GrimAge metrics) using data from 7 military and civilian cohorts participating in the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium PTSD Epigenetics Workgroup (total N = 1,367).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Meta-analysis revealed that the interaction between Time 1 (T1) Horvath age residuals and new-onset PTSD over time was significantly associated with Horvath age residuals at T2 (meta β = 0.16, meta <i>p</i> = 0.02, <i>p-adj</i> = 0.03). The interaction between T1 Horvath age residuals and changes in PTSD symptom severity over time was significantly related to Horvath age residuals at T2 (meta β = 0.24, meta <i>p</i> = 0.05). No associations were observed for GrimAge residuals.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Results indicated that individuals who developed new-onset PTSD or showed increased PTSD symptom severity over time evidenced greater epigenetic age acceleration at follow-up than would be expected based on baseline age acceleration. This suggests that PTSD may accelerate biological aging over time and highlights the need for intervention studies to determine if PTSD treatment has a beneficial effect on the aging methylome.</p>","PeriodicalId":20891,"journal":{"name":"Psychological Medicine","volume":"55 ","pages":"e142"},"PeriodicalIF":5.9,"publicationDate":"2025-05-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12094664/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144014470","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Brief psychological interventions for schizophrenia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.","authors":"Blue Pike, Leire Ambrosio, Lyn Ellett","doi":"10.1017/S0033291725001126","DOIUrl":"10.1017/S0033291725001126","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Although cognitive behavioral therapy for people diagnosed with schizophrenia (CBTp) is recommended in clinical guidelines internationally, rates of implementation are low. One consequence of this has been the development of brief individual psychological interventions, which are shorter than the recommended minimum of 16 sessions for CBTp. This article is the first to systematically identify the brief interventions that exist for people diagnosed with schizophrenia and to determine their effectiveness using meta-analysis.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Five electronic databases (PsycINFO, MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, and Web of Science) were searched for peer-reviewed randomized controlled trials or experimental studies of brief individual psychological interventions delivered in community settings. Random effects meta-analysis was used to integrate effect sizes, due to the heterogeneity of included studies.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Fourteen studies were identified (n = 1,382) that measured thirty clinical outcomes and included six intervention types - brief CBT, memory training, digital motivation support, reasoning training, psychoeducation, and virtual reality. Collectively, brief psychological interventions were found to be effective for psychotic symptoms (SMD -0.285, p < 0.01), paranoia (SMD -0.277, p < 0.05), data gathering (SMD 0.38, p < 0.01), depression (SMD -0.906, p < 0.05) and wellbeing (SMD 0.405, p < 0.01). For intervention types, brief CBT was effective for psychotic symptoms (SMD -0.32, p < .001), and reasoning training was effective for data gathering (SMD 0.38, p < 0.01).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Overall, the evidence suggests that brief psychological interventions are effective for several key difficulties associated with schizophrenia, providing an opportunity to improve both access to, and choice of, treatment for individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia.</p>","PeriodicalId":20891,"journal":{"name":"Psychological Medicine","volume":"55 ","pages":"e146"},"PeriodicalIF":5.9,"publicationDate":"2025-05-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12094642/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144036540","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"A counterweight model for understanding and treating persecutory delusions.","authors":"Daniel Freeman, Louise Isham, Felicity Waite","doi":"10.1017/S0033291725001242","DOIUrl":"10.1017/S0033291725001242","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Direct challenge seldom leads to change in strongly held beliefs such as persecutory delusions. A better route is to develop an alternative belief that can coexist with the delusion. The best such beliefs function as counterweights to the delusion. Over time, the scales shift. The alternative belief becomes more powerful than the delusion. In this paper, we set out such a model of persecutory delusions (or severe paranoia) and describe how it inherently translates theoretical understanding into treatment routes. Severe paranoia occurs when the adaptive cognitive processes of deciding whether to trust become overly weighted to mistrust. An inaccurate threat belief is formed, and the person feels very unsafe. Hence, overcoming the delusion means developing a counterweighting belief. It means building the alternative view that the world is safe enough for the person now and going forward. This, in turn, is done by <i>experiencing</i> safety. However, the pull of paranoia is strong due to multiple factors such as past history, anxious arousal, hallucinations, feelings of vulnerability, use of defenses, withdrawal, worry, difficulties distancing from fears, and a sense of defeat. These factors can prevent the person from feeling safe in even the most benign environments. Therefore, counterweights must be developed for these factors. For instance, feeling vulnerable can be counterweighted by developing self-confidence. Excessive time spent worrying can be counterweighted by devoting more time to thinking about meaningful activities. The counterweight approach provides a non-confrontational, empathic, personalized way to lift the burden of paranoia from a patient with persecutory delusions.</p>","PeriodicalId":20891,"journal":{"name":"Psychological Medicine","volume":"55 ","pages":"e141"},"PeriodicalIF":5.9,"publicationDate":"2025-05-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12094649/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143980267","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}