What Makes a Belief a Delusion? Delusions, Thought Disorder, the TALD Scale
What Makes a Belief a Delusion? Delusions, Thought Disorder, the TALD Scale  
Podcast: Psychofarm Podcast
Published On: Tue Jan 27 2026
Description: How do you actually evaluate a “delusion” in the room, especially when the belief could be plausible, culturally reinforced, or tied to mood or substances? In this episode, we break down a practical approach to psychosis language, why “fixed false belief” is often insufficient, and the interview questions that help clarify origin, certainty, flexibility, and function. We also use the TALD framework to expand beyond the usual linear vs circumstantial vs tangential model of thought disorder, then apply everything to a case vignette where a single supplement becomes the explanation for an entire life collapse. Educational and clinically focused.TALD: https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S0920996414005933-mmc1.docxUnderstanding Delusions Paper: https://journals.lww.com/inpj/fulltext/2009/18010/understanding_delusions.2.aspx This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit psychofarm.substack.com