They have taken out my spinal cord: an interpretative phenomenological analysis of self-boundary in psychotic experience within a sociocentric culture.
Elizabeth Alphonsus, Lisa C. Fellin, Samuel Thoma, Laura Galbusera
Front Psychiatry July 20, 2023 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1215412 (opens in new tab) via PubMed Central
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractIn a sociocentric culture where self-boundary is traditionally porous, psychotic experiences can radically alter one's sense of self. This interpretative phenomenological analysis explores how individuals describe their self-boundary during psychosis, using the metaphor of having their spinal cord removed to convey a profound loss of internal structure and autonomy. The analysis reveals that psychotic episodes disrupt the usual fluid boundaries of self, leading to a felt disintegration that is both terrifying and culturally shaped. The findings suggest that understanding self-boundary in psychosis requires attending to cultural context, as sociocentric norms may influence how such experiences are interpreted and narrated.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Interpretative phenomenological analysis Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Citations | 4 |
| Key finding | Psychotic experiences in a sociocentric culture involve a profound disruption of self-boundary, described metaphorically as having one's spinal cord removed, indicating a loss of internal structure and autonomy. |
Abstract
They have taken out my spinal cord: an interpretative phenomenological analysis of self-boundary in psychotic experience within a sociocentric culture.