title: Schizophrenia as a self-disorder due to perceptual incoherence.
abstract: The aim of this review is to describe the potential relationship between multisensory disintegration and self-disorders in schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Sensory processing impairments affecting multisensory integration have been demonstrated in schizophrenia. From a developmental perspective multisensory integration is considered to be crucial for normal self-experience. An impairment of multisensory integration is called 'perceptual incoherence'. We theorize that perceptual incoherence may evoke incoherent self-experiences including depersonalization, ambivalence, diminished sense of agency, and 'loosening of associations' between thoughts, feelings and actions that lie within the framework of 'self-disorders' as described by Sass and Parnas (2003). We postulate that subconscious attempts to restore perceptual coherence may induce hallucinations and delusions. Increased insight into mechanisms underlying 'self-disorders' may enhance our understanding of schizophrenia, improve recognition of early psychosis, and extend the range of therapeutic possibilities.
authors: GGZ Leiden, Department Early Psychosis (KEP) Leiden, Sandifortdreef 19, 2333 ZZ Leiden, the Netherlands. Electronic address: l.postmes@ggzleiden.nl.
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Postmes
authors: ZMC, Zaans Medical Centre, the Netherlands.
authors: H N
authors: HN
authors: Sno
authors: ZMC, Zaans Medical Centre, the Netherlands.
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Goedhart
authors: GGZ Ingeest/VUmc, Amstelveen, the Netherlands.
authors: J
authors: J
authors: van der Stel
authors: AMC, Academic Psychiatric Centre, Department Early Psychosis, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
authors: H D
authors: HD
authors: Heering
authors: AMC, Academic Psychiatric Centre, Department Early Psychosis, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
authors: L
authors: L
authors: de Haan
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D010468:Perceptual Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000150:complications*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D012678:Sensation Disorders / Q000209:etiology*
keywords: Development; Multisensory integration; Perceptual incoherence; Schizophrenia; Self-disorders