title: Anomalous self-experience in depersonalization and schizophrenia: a comparative investigation.
abstract: Various forms of anomalous self-experience can be seen as central to schizophrenia and other psychiatric disorders. We examined similarities and differences between anomalous self-experiences common in schizophrenia-spectrum disorders, as listed in the EASE (Examination of Anomalous Self Experiences), and those described in published accounts of severe depersonalization. Our aims were to consider anomalous self-experience in schizophrenia in a comparative context, to refine and enlarge upon existing descriptions of experiential disturbances in depersonalization, and to explore hypotheses concerning a possible core process in schizophrenia (diminished self-affection, an aspect of "ipseity" or minimal self). Numerous affinities between depersonalization and schizophrenia-spectrum experience were found: these demonstrate that rather pure forms of diminished self-affection (depersonalization) can involve many experiences that resemble those of schizophrenia. Important discrepancies also emerged, suggesting that more automatic or deficiency-like factors--probably involving self/world or self/other confusion and erosion of first-person perspective--are more distinctive of schizophrenia-spectrum disorders.
authors: Department of Clinical Psychology, Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology, Rutgers University, 152 Frelinghuysen Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854-8020, United States. lsass@rci.rutgers.edu
authors: Louis
authors: L
authors: Sass
authors: Elizabeth
authors: E
authors: Pienkos
authors: Barnaby
authors: B
authors: Nelson
authors: Nick
authors: N
authors: Medford
mesh_terms: D003861:Depersonalization / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D012559:Schizophrenia; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D012649:Self Concept