Delusional Atmosphere

Abstract

The condition termed ‘delusional atmosphere‘ belongs to the ‘precursor phenomena‘ of delusion and has always attracted special attention because its peculiarities evoke the hope of obtaining better insight into the conditions governing the emergence and formation of delusion. The following considerations represent a review of the most important topical hypotheses about the nature of the delusional atmosphere and its progression into finalised delusional elaborations as seen in the perspective of the psychopathology of German-speaking countries.