‘Internet Delusions’: A Case Series and Theoretical Integration

Background: Delusions involving the internet have been reported as examples of the influence of cultural innovations on delusion formation, although there has been some debate as to whether such innovations simply affect surface content, or whether they have more substantial clinical or psychopathological implications. Sampling and Methods: Four cases of patients with delusions involving the internet were identified following a general request to local consultant psychiatrists for referrals. Results: The internet had a specific effect on aetiology in one case, and knowledge of the internet seemed to constrain the type of delusion formed in two others. The presence of an internet-related delusion in the final case was used to frame a successful clinical intervention based on the ‘collaborative empiricism’ method, using cognitive behavioural therapy and collaborative use of the internet to resolve the delusional belief. Conclusions: Cultural technical innovations may have specific influences on the form, origin and content of delusional beliefs. For some patients the presence of internet-themed delusions may be a good prognostic indicator since, given the rich sources of information available, they may be well suited to treatment with cognitive behavioural therapy.