Basic self-disturbances are associated with Sense of Coherence in patients with psychotic disorders

Abstract

BackgroundThe Sense of Coherence (SOC) theory gives a possible explanation of how people can experience subjective good health despite severe illness. Basic self-disturbances (BSDs) are subtle non-psychotic disturbances that may destabilize the person's sense of self, identity, corporeality, and the overall 'grip' of the world. AimOur objective was to investigate associations between BSDs and SOC in patients with psychotic disorders. DesignThis is a cross-sectional study of 56 patients diagnosed with psychotic disorders inside and outside the schizophrenia spectrum (35 schizophrenia, 13 bipolar, and eight other psychoses). SOC was measured using Antonovsky's 13-item SOC questionnaire, and BSDs were assessed using the Examination of Anomalous Self-Experience (EASE) manual. Diagnosis, symptoms, and social and occupational performance were assessed using standardized clinical instruments. ResultsWe found a statistically significant correlation (r = ) between high levels of BSDs and low levels of SOC (r = -0.64/p<0.001). This association was not influenced by diagnostics, clinical symptoms or level of functioning in follow-up multivariate analyses.A statistically significant association between BSDs and SOC indicates that the presence and level of self-disturbances may influence the person's ability to experience life as comprehensive, manageable and meaningful. However, the cross-sectional nature of the study precludes conclusions regarding the direction of this association.

Self-Entropic Broadening Theory: Toward a New Understanding of Self and Behavior Change Informed by Psychedelics and Psychosis

“…It is also unclear how helpful antipsychotics are for reducing self-disturbances (Nelson et al, 2021), which, as we have stressed, appear to be crucial to predicting the long-term trajectory of a psychotic episode (see Burgin et al, 2022, for a review). It was recently shown that reductions of self-presence were associated with a lower sense of coherence in people with schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders (Svendsen et al, 2020). Sense of coherence indicates a "subjective experience of good health," despite having a severe illness and is related to a sense of ability to manage the disorder and to feel that life has meaning (Svendsen et al, 2020).…”

“…It was recently shown that reductions of self-presence were associated with a lower sense of coherence in people with schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders (Svendsen et al, 2020). Sense of coherence indicates a "subjective experience of good health," despite having a severe illness and is related to a sense of ability to manage the disorder and to feel that life has meaning (Svendsen et al, 2020). As self-presence may not be affected by antipsychotic treatment, patients using antipsychotics might still feel that life is difficult to manage, even if positive symptoms are reduced.…”

On the Further De-Centering of Neuronormativity: Psychological Contact to Meet the Therapeutic Needs of Persons on the Autism Spectrum

“…The autistic need for self-consistency is reflected in the soul-searching quest many of us engage in prior to and following formal diagnosis (Brown et al, 2021;Corden et al, 2021;Dwyer, 2022;Leveto 2018;Sarrett, 2016), as well as the identity-questioning many experience (Yule, 2021). Self-consistency (in most contemporary literature, it is known as selfcoherence; Antonovsky, 1993;Eriksson & Mittelmark, 2017;Heine et al, 2006;Heintzelman et al, 2013;Martela & Steger, 2016;Stewart & Neimeyer, 2001;Svendsen et al, 2020), however, is a general need reflected in the human desire to understand oneself and one's perceptions. It appears to be cross-culturally stable for ND and NT persons alike (Church et al, 2012), linked to increased quality of and meaning in life (Eriksson & Lindström, 2007;Heine et al, 2006;Heintzelman et al, 2013;Martela & Steger, 2016;Pallant & Lae, 2002).…”

Aggression, Alexithymia and Sense of Coherence in a Sample of Schizophrenic Outpatients

“…Low baseline levels of basic self-disturbances and further reductions over time independently predict recovery [ 50 ]. Significant association between basic self-disturbances and sense of coherence, not mediated by other clinical symptoms, was reported, identifying high levels of basic self-disturbances as independent contributors to poor sense of coherence [ 51 ].…”