Which phenomenon is described by hearing thoughts broadcast to others without external stimulus?

• A. Grandeur
• B. Persecution
• C. Nihilistic
• D. Thought Broadcasting

Answer: (D)

Thought broadcasting is a delusional belief that one’s thoughts are being transmitted so that others can hear them, even without any external sound or stimulus. This is a classic positive symptom seen in schizophrenia spectrum disorders, where internal thoughts are perceived as accessible to the outside world.

What makes this description fit is that the person truly believes their thoughts are broadcast to others, not that they are actually hearing voices. It’s about a disruption in the sense of how thoughts are shared or hidden, rather than an external auditory experience.

Other delusions listed would involve different themes—grandiose beliefs of special importance, persecutory beliefs of being targeted, or nihilistic beliefs about meaning or existence—not the sense that thoughts themselves are broadcast to others.