The History of Delusional Disorders. Life in the Prison of Illusions

In her groundbreaking work, English historian Victoria Shepherd explores the theme of delusional disorders in the history of England and France from the 4th to the 20th century through real clinical cases. Drawing on the achievements of modern psychology, the author sees manifestations of madness as a complex mechanism of psychological defense of the individual, examining the thin, blurred line between sanity and madness. Victoria is convinced that these are not just strange quirks; they hold the key to collective anxieties and traumas, as well as open up the possibility of accessing the true motives behind human actions. The book allows the reader to render their own verdict on the madness of various historical figures and to draw parallels to the present, where people obsessed with various strange ideas can often be encountered.