The Role of Psychic Illusions in the Psychoanalytic Process

The Role of Psychic Illusions in the Psychoanalytic Process

How the illusory nature of experience can be sculpted through play and creative process in the service of psychoanalytic psychotherapy.

Study investigates whether illusory beliefs drive people away from medicine

Our beliefs about health often unconsciously shape the decisions we make daily. However, not all these beliefs are based on solid scientific foundations. Some, although well-intentioned, are illusory beliefs about health, i.e., misconceptions that can lead us away from effective practices and towards choices that can harm our health.

Illusory Beliefs Fuel Risky Health Choices

Beliefs in pseudoscientific health ideas can undermine trust in conventional medicine and lead to riskier health decisions, a new study finds. Researchers analyzed over 1,500 participants and showed that stronger illusory beliefs were linked to higher use of unvalidated therapies and lower adherence to evidence-based practices.