Phenomenology of dissociative symptoms: A comparison between individuals with dissociative disorders and high and low dissociative schizophrenia spectrum disorders.
V E De Vries, R J C Huntjens, B E Sportel, J J Arends, G H M Pijnenborg
Schizophrenia Research: Cognition June 1, 2025 DOI: 10.1016/j.scog.2025.100348 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Cross-sectional comparative study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 78 |
| Population | Patients with dissociative disorders and patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders |
| Topics | Philosophy of mind |
| Keywords | Dissociation Dissociative disorder Schizophrenia spectrum disorder |
| Citations | 1 |
| Key findings | No dissociative or psychotic symptom is specific to dissociative disorders or schizophrenia spectrum disorders, and differences between the groups disappear when comparing DD patients with SSD patients who report many dissociative experiences. |
Abstract
The distinction between dissociative disorders (DDs) and schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSDs) in different categories since DSM-III presumes a clear-cut distinction between both disorders. However, empirical studies did not reveal a clear distinction between the disorders on a symptom level. The aim of the current study was to further examine the overlap and differences in symptoms between DDs and SSDs. Levels and types of dissociative and psychotic symptoms were compared between 27 DD patients and 51 SSD patients using MANOVA. For a more fine-grained insight, a subgroup analysis was performed with the DD group and 12 individuals with SSD who report many dissociative experiences (SSD-H). Finally, a discriminant analysis was performed to explore if there are symptoms discriminating between the DD group and both SSD groups. Results showed that the DD group experienced higher levels of each type of dissociative symptoms than the total SSD group. The symptoms self-states alters, discontinuities of time, flashbacks, voices, and depersonalization were found to best discriminate between the groups. These differences did not hold in the subgroup analysis between the DD group and SSD-H group, where only differences on the validity scales rare symptoms, attention seeking and factitious behavior were found. It can be stated that none of the dissociative and psychotic symptoms is specific to DDs or SSDs. Therefore it is advisable to be cautious with classifying based on the presence of (certain) symptoms. A transdiagnostic approach towards assessment and treatment, regardless of classification, is indicated.
Comparable studies
Other cross-sectional and survey studies on philosophy of mind, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Survey of entity encounter experiences occasioned by inhaled N,N-dimethyltryptamine: Phenomenology, interpretation, and enduring effects. People who had a memorable entity encounter after taking N,N-dimethyltryptamine | 2020 | Survey | n = 2,561 |
| Future directions in meditation research: Recommendations for expanding the field of contemplative science Meditators | 2018 | Cross-sectional online survey | n = 1,120 |
| The Phenomenology of Lucid Dreaming: An Online Survey Respondents to an online survey about lucid dreams | 2014 | Online survey | n = 684 |
| The neurophenomenology of early psychosis: An integrative empirical study. Ultra-high risk for psychosis patients, first episode psychosis patients, and healthy... | 2019 | Cross-sectional | n = 123 |
| Spontaneous Spiritual Awakenings: Phenomenology, Altered States, Individual Differences, and Well-Being People reporting their most powerful Spontaneous Spiritual or Kundalini Awakening | 2021 | Mixed within and between-participants self-report survey design | n = 152 |
Citations in the library
Cites 4
- A comparison between auditory hallucinations, interpretation of voices, and formal thought disorder in dissociative identity disorder and schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Journal of Clinical Psychology September 1, 2023
- Association Between Psychotic and Dissociative Symptoms: Further Investigation Using Network Analysis Journal of Trauma & Dissociation December 20, 2023
- Unique and Overlapping Symptoms in Schizophrenia Spectrum and Dissociative Disorders in Relation to Models of Psychopathology: A Systematic Review. Schizophrenia Bulletin January 2017
- Development, reliability, and validity of a dissociation scale. The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease December 1, 1986