Phenomenology of Hallucinations in Endogenous and Substance-Related Exogenous Psychoses.
Valerio Ricci, Massimiliano Aragona, Giuseppe Maina, Giovanni Martinotti
Psychopathology 2026 DOI: 10.1159/000547087 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Qualitative Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Philosophy of mind |
| Keywords | Exogenous psychosis Hallucinations Schizophrenia Substance-induced psychosis |
| Citations | 1 |
| Key points | Argues that hallucinations in schizophrenia, substance-induced psychosis, and substance-related persistent psychosis have distinct phenomenological features at the levels of formal features, contents, state of consciousness, temporal experience, and position-taking. |
Abstract
Healthcare professionals encounter challenges in discerning endogenous and exogenous, drug-related, psychopathological phenomena. This study aimed to explore qualitative differences between hallucinations in schizophrenia and two forms of substance-related psychosis. These are substance-induced psychosis (SIP), which has an acute onset and is usually transient, and substance-related persistent psychosis (PP). To explore phenomenological differences, we use an ideal-typical method (which Jaspers borrowed in psychopathology from Weber), together with classic and contemporary phenomenological reflections. After a historical overview of the main issues concerning this topic, we consider the qualitative differences between the different types of hallucinations at the following levels: formal features of the phenomenon, contents, state of consciousness, temporal experience, and position-taking. Our results indicate that while schizophrenic hallucinations typically occur in clear consciousness with variable sensory vividness, SIP hallucinations manifest in an oneiroid state with increased vividness and multisensory integration. In contrast, PP hallucinations occur in a twilight state of consciousness, often presenting as simpler but intrusive phenomena. Furthermore, the discussion includes a brief phenomenological analysis starting from Husserlian conceptions of perception to clarify the basic structural difference underlying the qualitative distinctions previously analysed. By identifying distinctive phenomenological characteristics of hallucinations across these conditions, this study provides clinicians with a conceptual framework for developing more effective diagnostic approaches and therapeutic strategies, particularly in the complex context of substance-induced psychopathologies.
Comparable studies
Other theoretical and historical papers on philosophy of mind, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Psychosis as a state of aberrant salience: a framework linking biology, phenomenology, and pharmacology in schizophrenia. | 2003 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| From dopamine to salience to psychosis--linking biology, pharmacology and phenomenology of psychosis. | 2005 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| How do the brain's time and space mediate consciousness and its different dimensions? Temporo-spatial theory of consciousness (TTC). | 2017 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| The phenomenology of deep brain stimulation-induced changes in OCD: an enactive affordance-based model. | 2013 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Looking for the Self: Phenomenology, Neurophysiology and Philosophical Significance of Drug-induced Ego Dissolution | 2017 | Theoretical or philosophical paper |
Citations in the library
Cites 14
- Stress Sensitivity, Aberrant Salience, and Threat Anticipation in Early Psychosis: An Experience Sampling Study Schizophrenia Bulletin February 1, 2016
- Substance-Induced Psychoses: An Updated Literature Review Frontiers in Psychiatry December 23, 2021
- Substance-related exogenous psychosis: a postmodern syndrome CNS Spectrums June 25, 2020
- Foundations of Human Consciousness: Imaging the Twilight Zone. Journal of Neuroscience February 24, 2021
- Occurrence and phenomenology of hallucinations in the general population: A large online survey Schizophrenia April 23, 2022
and 9 more in the library