Normalisation
May 30, 2018 DOI: 10.4324/9781315524016-3 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper |
|---|---|
| Key points | Argues that psychotic experiences exist on a continuum with sane mental states, citing psychotic symptoms in the general population, psychotic features in borderline personality disorder, and first-person accounts from sane people. Contends that labelling such experiences as illness is driven partly by social factors and that the diagnosis of "schizophrenia" is used to medicalise behaviour others object to, while acknowledging that some psychotic states appear incompatible with social functioning. |
Abstract
In this chapter the dimensional model of psychosis is examined. Evidence for the existence of a continuum is evaluated. Evidence for psychotic symptoms in the general population is examined. Psychotic episodes and symptoms in borderline personality disorder are considered as evidence for a continuum between psychotic illness and sane states of mind. Case examples are discussed to illustrate the point. The use of normalisation as a psychological therapy, as developed by Kingdon and Turkington, is described. First-person examples of psychotic experiences in sane people are reported. Examples are given from “The Varieties of Religious Experience” by William James and from the journal of George Fox. Reducing religious experience to a biological illness is overly simplistic. Romme and Escher’s voice-hearers conferences are described, and are further evidence for psychotic experiences in people who do not present as ill or disabled. It is suggested that psychotic experiences are labelled as illness in part due to social factors and due to more generalised difficulties in social and personal functioning. However, some psychotic states do seem incompatible with social functioning, although this is a multifactorial process including labelling, class and other problems. In part, the diagnosis of “schizophrenia” is used to medicalise behaviour that other people object to. However, that this is true is not an explanation of the existence of psychosis.