Experiences of feeling exceptional: a qualitative study.
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Experiences of feeling exceptional: a qualitative study.
IRAS ID
230635
Contact name
Louise Isham
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Clinical Trials and Research Governance Team, University of Oxford
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Grandiose delusions are unfounded beliefs held by individuals that they have exceptional abilities, wealth or fame. They become harmful when harmful consequences occur (for example stepping out into traffic because a person believes they are invincible, or becoming socially isolated).
They are one of the most common psychotic experiences found in severe mental health problems such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, but little research has been carried out focusing specifically on grandiose delusions. This is because, in the past, research has focused broadly on ‘schizophrenia’ or ‘bipolar disorder’ as a whole rather than looking at individual psychotic experiences. This approach hasn’t worked well and traditional treatments are not effective enough.The present study is part of a programme of research, funded by NIHR, aiming to increase our understanding of harmful grandiose delusions and develop the first, targeted, psychological treatment. Central to this programme is the present study: a qualitative semi-structured interview study. Participants will be patients currently open to Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust services and with either current or past experiences of grandiose delusions will be recruited. We anticipate a sample of 12 will be sufficient to reach data saturation. Participants will be interviewed individually and asked to describe their experiences of grandiose delusions and associated treatment in as much detail as they feel comfortable with. The aim is to develop an understanding of patients’ experiences of grandiose delusions and the impact they have on them. We will also find out what patients’ experience of mental health service treatment has been and what interventions they might or might not like. No other qualitative studies have specifically focused on grandiose delusions before and this study will provide crucial insights that will help us to develop a treatment which people will want to access and which will be effective.
REC name
South Central - Oxford B Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/SC/0515
Date of REC Opinion
23 Oct 2017
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion