Which of the following is an example of an abnormal thought process seen in psychosis?

• A. Derailment
• B. Delusion
• C. Hallucination
• D. Phobia

Answer: (A)

Disorganized thinking, seen as derailment, is an abnormal thought process in psychosis. Derailment means the person’s ideas shift abruptly from one topic to another with loose or illogical connections, making speech hard to follow and the train of thought seem fragmented. This disruption in how thoughts are structured and linked is a hallmark of psychotic thinking.

Delusions are fixed false beliefs, which reflect abnormal belief content rather than how thoughts are organized. Hallucinations are perceptual experiences without external stimuli, indicating altered perception rather than a thought process. Phobias involve intense, irrational fears and relate more to anxiety than to psychotic thinking. So derailment best fits as the abnormal thought process characteristic of psychosis.