Thought broadcasting, not broadcast disease, is a symptom where a person believes that their thoughts are accessible and known by others. It's a delusion, a fixed false belief, commonly associated with schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
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Definition: Thought broadcasting is the delusion that one's thoughts are being transmitted to the outside world, so that others can hear or access them. The individual may believe their thoughts are being projected through media, technology, or even directly into other people's minds.
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Classification: It is categorized as a positive symptom of schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders. Positive symptoms refer to thoughts, behaviors, or perceptions that are present in people with a psychotic disorder, but are not typically experienced by others.
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Clinical Significance: Experiencing thought broadcasting can be highly distressing and can significantly impact a person's social interactions and overall functioning.
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Distinguishing from other experiences: It is important to differentiate thought broadcasting from feelings of self-consciousness or the belief that others can guess what one is thinking based on behavior or expression. In thought broadcasting, the person believes their actual thoughts are being transmitted, not inferred.
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Example: A person experiencing thought broadcasting might believe that the government is listening to their thoughts through a chip implanted in their brain, or that their neighbors are hearing their inner monologue.
Thought broadcasting is a serious symptom that requires professional evaluation and treatment.
