On the artistic shaping of delusion in psychosis

Purpose - The paper aims to discuss delusion as a creative experience. Design/methodology/approach - The paper addresses narrative rendering of delusional thinking in detail and related styles of thought in artists. Findings - Enhanced creativity during psychosis can be put to productive use in recovery. Artistic cultures may help psychosis sufferers move to a more socially inclusive, consensual view of reality. Originality/value - The paper emphasises the artistic aspect of psychosis as a counterweight to the "machine aesthetic" of positivistic science and also stresses the importance of spiritual experience to recovery.