Thought Broadcasting
A psychotic symptom in which a person believes that their private thoughts are being transmitted to and perceived by others.
Full Definition
Thought broadcasting is classified as a Schneiderian first-rank symptom and is considered a hallmark feature of schizophrenia spectrum disorders in many diagnostic frameworks. It is distinct from thought insertion (belief that external forces are placing thoughts into one's mind) and thought withdrawal (belief that thoughts are being removed). In behavioral health editing, these three related phenomena are frequently confused or conflated in clinical narratives. Editors should verify that authors use each term precisely and that supporting clinical descriptions match the term employed. These symptoms often appear in structured psychosis assessments, inpatient admission documents, and competency evaluations.
Usage
Usage note: Always use as a two-word noun phrase; do not hyphenate. Ensure clinical descriptions in the surrounding text match the specific definition to avoid mislabeling related phenomena.
In Context
- "The admission note documented active thought broadcasting, with the client expressing certainty that coworkers could hear his thoughts." — Inpatient admission note
- "The psychosis symptom checklist differentiated thought broadcasting, thought insertion, and ideas of reference as separate items." — Structured symptom assessment