Consciousness and its Disorders
Femi Oyebode
The Oxford Handbook of Phenomenological Psychopathology July 4, 2019 DOI: 10.1093/oxfordhb/9780198803157.013.47 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Qualitative Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key points | Argues that consciousness, though related to attention, is distinct from it, and that phenomenological understandings of consciousness can conflict with how abnormalities of consciousness present clinically. Uses delirium to illustrate qualitative changes in consciousness, examines subjective attention disorders in schizophrenia and mood disorders through case examples, and describes awareness disorders including unilateral neglect and blindsight. |
Abstract
Consciousness is the subjective state of awareness of the sensible world. This chapter focuses on the process of being conscious of something, and examines in detail the most significant abnormalities that affect consciousness. Consciousness is distinguished from attention, although both are related. The pivotal role of consciousness in phenomenology is discussed and the tensions between the understandings of consciousness in phenomenology and the manner in which abnormalities of consciousness in practice present and conflict with theoretical notions are examined. Dimensional and qualitative changes in consciousness are dealt with. Delirium, a state of global impairment of cognitive functions and reduced level of consciousness, is used as an illustration of the nature of qualitative changes of consciousness. The subjective experience of disorders of attention in schizophrenia and mood disorders are examined and illustrated by case examples. Finally, disorders of awareness, in particular unilateral neglect and related conditions, and blindsight are also described.