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Szymanek P, Homan M, van Elk M, Hohol M. Effects of expectations and sensory unreliability on voice detection - A preregistered study. Conscious Cogn 2024; 123:103718. [PMID: 38880020 DOI: 10.1016/j.concog.2024.103718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2024] [Revised: 05/31/2024] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
The phenomenon of "hearing voices" can be found not only in psychotic disorders, but also in the general population, with individuals across cultures reporting auditory perceptions of supernatural beings. In our preregistered study, we investigated a possible mechanism of such experiences, grounded in the predictive processing model of agency detection. We predicted that in a signal detection task, expecting less or more voices than actually present would drive the response bias toward a more conservative and liberal response strategy, respectively. Moreover, we hypothesized that including sensory noise would enhance these expectancy effects. In line with our predictions, the findings show that detection of voices relies on expectations and that this effect is especially pronounced in the case of unreliable sensory data. As such, the study contributes to our understanding of the predictive processes in hearing and the building blocks of voice hearing experiences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piotr Szymanek
- Doctoral School in the Social Sciences, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Poland; Mathematical Cognition and Learning Lab, Copernicus Center for Interdisciplinary Studies, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Poland.
| | - Marek Homan
- Mathematical Cognition and Learning Lab, Copernicus Center for Interdisciplinary Studies, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Poland
| | - Michiel van Elk
- Institute of Psychology, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Mateusz Hohol
- Mathematical Cognition and Learning Lab, Copernicus Center for Interdisciplinary Studies, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Poland
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2
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Reeder RR, Sala G, van Leeuwen TM. A novel model of divergent predictive perception. Neurosci Conscious 2024; 2024:niae006. [PMID: 38348335 PMCID: PMC10860603 DOI: 10.1093/nc/niae006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Predictive processing theories state that our subjective experience of reality is shaped by a balance of expectations based on previous knowledge about the world (i.e. priors) and confidence in sensory input from the environment. Divergent experiences (e.g. hallucinations and synaesthesia) are likely to occur when there is an imbalance between one's reliance on priors and sensory input. In a novel theoretical model, inspired by both predictive processing and psychological principles, we propose that predictable divergent experiences are associated with natural or environmentally induced prior/sensory imbalances: inappropriately strong or inflexible (i.e. maladaptive) high-level priors (beliefs) combined with low sensory confidence can result in reality discrimination issues, a characteristic of psychosis; maladaptive low-level priors (sensory expectations) combined with high sensory confidence can result in atypical sensory sensitivities and persistent divergent percepts, a characteristic of synaesthesia. Crucially, we propose that whether different divergent experiences manifest with dominantly sensory (e.g. hallucinations) or nonsensory characteristics (e.g. delusions) depends on mental imagery ability, which is a spectrum from aphantasia (absent or weak imagery) to hyperphantasia (extremely vivid imagery). We theorize that imagery is critically involved in shaping the sensory richness of divergent perceptual experience. In sum, to predict a range of divergent perceptual experiences in both clinical and general populations, three factors must be accounted for: a maladaptive use of priors, individual level of confidence in sensory input, and mental imagery ability. These ideas can be expressed formally using nonparametric regression modeling. We provide evidence for our theory from previous work and deliver predictions for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reshanne R Reeder
- Department of Psychology, Institute of Population Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 3BX, United Kingdom
| | - Giovanni Sala
- Department of Psychology, Institute of Population Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 3BX, United Kingdom
| | - Tessa M van Leeuwen
- Department of Communication and Cognition, Tilburg School of Humanities and Digital Sciences, Tilburg University, Tilburg, The Netherlands
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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3
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Hüfner K, Falla M, Brugger H, Gatterer H, Strapazzon G, Tomazin I, Zafren K, Sperner-Unterweger B, Fusar-Poli P. Isolated high altitude psychosis, delirium at high altitude, and high altitude cerebral edema: are these diagnoses valid? Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1221047. [PMID: 37599873 PMCID: PMC10436335 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1221047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Psychosis is a psychopathological syndrome that can be triggered or caused by exposure to high altitude (HA). Psychosis can occur alone as isolated HA psychosis or can be associated with other mental and often also somatic symptoms as a feature of delirium. Psychosis can also occur as a symptom of high altitude cerebral edema (HACE), a life-threatening condition. It is unclear how psychotic symptoms at HA should be classified into existing diagnostic categories of the most widely used classification systems of mental disorders, including the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V) and the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-11). We provide a diagnostic framework for classifying symptoms using the existing diagnostic categories: psychotic condition due to a general medical condition, brief psychotic disorder, delirium, and HACE. We also discuss the potential classification of isolated HA psychosis into those categories. A valid and reproducible classification of symptoms is essential for communication among professionals, ensuring that patients receive optimal treatment, planning further trips to HA for individuals who have experienced psychosis at HA, and advancing research in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Hüfner
- Division of Psychiatry II, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, Psychosomatics and Medical Psychology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Marika Falla
- Institute of Mountain Emergency Medicine, Eurac Research, Bolzano, Italy
- Department of Neurology/Stroke Unit, Hospital of Bolzano (SABES-ASDAA), Bolzano, Italy
| | - Hermann Brugger
- Institute of Mountain Emergency Medicine, Eurac Research, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Hannes Gatterer
- Institute of Mountain Emergency Medicine, Eurac Research, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Giacomo Strapazzon
- Institute of Mountain Emergency Medicine, Eurac Research, Bolzano, Italy
- Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Iztok Tomazin
- Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Mountain Rescue Association of Slovenia, Kranj, Slovenia
| | - Ken Zafren
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Stanford University Medical Center, Palo Alto, CA, United States
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Alaska Native Medical Center, Anchorage, AK, United States
| | - Barbara Sperner-Unterweger
- Division of Psychiatry II, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, Psychosomatics and Medical Psychology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Paolo Fusar-Poli
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
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4
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Amendola S, Cerutti R, Presaghi F. Symptoms of Prolonged Social Withdrawal, Problematic Internet Use, and Psychotic-Like Experiences in Emerging Adulthood: A Moderation Model. CLINICAL NEUROPSYCHIATRY 2023; 20:29-38. [PMID: 36936621 PMCID: PMC10016104 DOI: 10.36131/cnfioritieditore20230104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/21/2023]
Abstract
Objective Prolonged social withdrawal (PSW) or hikikomori and problematic internet use (PIU) have attracted the attention of mental health experts worldwide. The scientific literature suggests a complex relationship between these conditions and psychotic-like experiences (PLEs) or disorders. In the present cross-sectional study, we tested the role of PIU symptoms as a moderator of the relationship between symptoms of PSW and PLEs in a sample of 238 Italian emerging adults. Method Data was collected using the 25-item Hikikomori Questionnaire, the Internet Disorder Scale, the Brief Prodromal Questionnaire, and the Brief Symptom Inventory. In addition, lifetime psychological disorders and drug and alcohol use during the last month were explored. No participant reported a lifetime episode of schizophrenia or other psychotic disorder. Results Symptoms of PSW and PIU were significantly associated with PLEs total distress and PLEs total number of symptoms endorsed, after adjustment for age and symptoms of depression and anxiety. Further, PIU symptoms moderated the relationship between symptoms of PSW and PLEs total distress (b= 2.745, s.e.= 1.089, p= 0.012). However, PIU symptoms did not moderate the relationship between PSW and PLEs total symptoms (b= 0.615, s.e.= 0.349, p= 0.078). This study is limited because the participants were most likely university students and because of the cross-sectional design. Conclusions Findings from this study partially support the role of high symptoms of PIU as a risk factor in the relationship between symptoms of PSW and PLEs. Future longitudinal research is needed to confirm our findings examining the temporal relationship between PSW, PIU, and PLEs using both dimensional and categorical approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Amendola
- Department of Applied Psychology, Zurich University of Applied Sciences
- Corresponding author Simone Amendola E-mail:
| | - Rita Cerutti
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, and Health Studies, Sapienza - University of Rome
| | - Fabio Presaghi
- Department of Psychology of Development and Socialization Processes, Sapienza - University of Rome
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5
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Saad A. On the logic of unconscious objects. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PSYCHOANALYSIS 2022; 103:581-600. [PMID: 35997052 DOI: 10.1080/00207578.2022.2028551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this paper is to distinguish between conscious and unconscious conceptions of objects. I will argue that we consciously ascribe different properties to the same object based on their coexistence in time and space. For example, the colour and flavour of an apple are ascribed to the same object as they relate to the same spatiotemporal location. However, since there is no reference to time in unconscious thinking, we cannot ascribe properties unconsciously to objects based on spatiotemporality. Instead, I hypothesize, properties are unconsciously ascribed to the same object based on the drive they satisfy. This hypothesis accounts for substantial unconscious processes such as condensation, displacement, splitting and certain linguistic features of unconscious thinking. Moreover, it enables the identification of a type of suppression of unconscious content-logical suppression-used to classify levels of personality organization. The clinical merit of this hypothesis will be presented through various case reports.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amit Saad
- Tel Aviv Institute for Contemporary Psychoanalysis, Tel-Aviv, Israel.,Tel Aviv University Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv, Israel
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6
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Hüfner K, Caramazza F, Stawinoga AE, Pircher Nöckler ER, Fusar-Poli P, Bhandari SS, Basnyat B, Brodmann Maeder M, Strapazzon G, Tomazin I, Sperner-Unterweger B, Brugger H. Assessment of Psychotic Symptoms in Individuals Exposed to Very High or Extreme Altitude: A Field Study. High Alt Med Biol 2021; 22:369-378. [PMID: 34324390 PMCID: PMC8742264 DOI: 10.1089/ham.2020.0210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Hüfner, Katharina, Fabio Caramazza, Agnieszka E. Stawinoga, Evelyn R. Pircher Nöckler, Paolo Fusar-Poli, Sanjeeb S. Bhandari, Buddha Basnyat, Monika Brodmann Maeder, Giacomo Strapazzon, Iztok Tomazin, Barbara Sperner-Unterweger, and Hermann Brugger. Assessment of psychotic symptoms in individuals exposed to very high or extreme altitude: A field study. High Alt Med Biol. xx:xxx-xxx, 2021. Background: Symptoms of psychosis such as hallucinations can occur at high or extreme altitude and have been linked to accidents on the mountain. No data are available on how to assess such symptoms in the field and what their prevalence or predisposing factors might be. Methods: In this field study at Everest Base Camp (5,365 m) in Nepal, 99 participants of organized expeditions underwent 279 assessments: The High Altitude Psychosis Questionnaire (HAPSY-Q), the Prodromal Questionnaire, 16-items (PQ-16), and the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (M.I.N.I., psychosis section) were collected together with further clinical data. Statistical analysis was done for each phase, that is, altitude range of the climb, and overall data. Results: One of 97 climbers fulfilled the M.I.N.I. diagnostic criteria for psychosis during one acclimatization climb. At least one endorsed item on the HAPSY-Q and the PQ-16, indicating the presence of symptoms of psychosis in the absence of a psychotic disorders, were identified in 10/97 (10.3%) and 18/87 (20.7%) participants respectively. The scores of the HAPSY-Q and the PQ-16 were correlated (r = 0.268, p < 0.001). Odds ratio analysis identified an increased risk for accidents in individuals with endorsed items on the HAPSY-Q. Conclusions: The diagnosis of high altitude psychosis is rare in climbers during organized expeditions. Nevertheless, subdiagnostic symptoms of psychosis occurred in a significant proportion of climbers. Future research is needed to validate these pilot findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Hüfner
- University Hospital of Psychiatry II, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Fabio Caramazza
- University Hospital of Psychiatry II, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria.,Institute of Mountain Emergency Medicine, Eurac Research, Bolzano, Italy
| | | | - Evelyn R Pircher Nöckler
- University Hospital of Psychiatry II, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Paolo Fusar-Poli
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College, London, United Kingdom.,Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | | | - Buddha Basnyat
- Mountain Medicine Society of Nepal, Kathmandu, Nepal.,Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Patan Academy of Health Science, Nepal International, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Monika Brodmann Maeder
- Institute of Mountain Emergency Medicine, Eurac Research, Bolzano, Italy.,Department of Emergency Medicine, University Hospital Bern and Bern University, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Giacomo Strapazzon
- Institute of Mountain Emergency Medicine, Eurac Research, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Iztok Tomazin
- Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.,Mountain Rescue Association of Slovenia, Kranj, Slovenia
| | - Barbara Sperner-Unterweger
- University Hospital of Psychiatry II, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Hermann Brugger
- Institute of Mountain Emergency Medicine, Eurac Research, Bolzano, Italy
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7
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Dagnall N, Drinkwater KG, O’Keeffe C, Ventola A, Laythe B, Jawer MA, Massullo B, Caputo GB, Houran J. Things That Go Bump in the Literature: An Environmental Appraisal of "Haunted Houses". Front Psychol 2020; 11:1328. [PMID: 32595577 PMCID: PMC7304295 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2020] [Accepted: 05/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
This paper contains a narrative overview of the past 20-years of environmental research on anomalous experiences attributed to "haunted house." This exercise served as a much-needed update to an anthology of noteworthy overviews on ghosts, haunts, and poltergeists (Houran and Lange, 2001b). We also considered whether new studies had incorporated certain recommendations made in this anthology. Our search revealed a relative paucity of studies (n = 66) on environmental factors that ostensibly stimulate haunt-type experiences. This literature was diverse and often lacked methodological consistency and adherence to the prior suggestions. However, critical consideration of the content revealed a recurring focus on six ambient variables: embedded (static) cues, lighting levels, air quality, temperature, infrasound, and electromagnetic fields. Their relation to the onset or structure of witness reports showed mostly null, though sometimes inconsistent or weak outcomes. However, such research as related to haunts is arguably in its infancy and new designs are needed to account better for environmental and architectural phenomenology. Future studies should therefore address four areas: (i) more consistent and precise measurements of discrete ambient variables; (ii) the potential role of "Gestalt influences" that involve holistic environment-person interactions; (iii) individual differences in attentional or perceptual sensitivities of percipients to environmental variables; and (iv) the role of attitudinal and normative influences in the interpretation of environmental stimuli. Focused scrutiny on these issues should clarify the explanatory power of evolutionary-environmental models for these and related anomalous experiences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neil Dagnall
- Department of Psychology, Manchester Campus, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Kenneth G. Drinkwater
- Department of Psychology, Manchester Campus, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Ciarán O’Keeffe
- School of Human & Social Sciences, Buckinghamshire New University, Buckinghamshire, United Kingdom
| | | | - Brian Laythe
- Institute for the Study of Religious and Anomalous Experience, Jeffersonville, IN, United States
| | | | | | | | - James Houran
- Laboratory for Statistics and Computation, ISLA—Instituto Politécnico de Gestão e Tecnologia, Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal
- Integrated Knowledge Systems, Dallas, TX, United States
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8
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Seiler N, Nguyen T, Yung A, O'Donoghue B. Terminology and assessment tools of psychosis: A systematic narrative review. Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2020; 74:226-246. [PMID: 31846133 DOI: 10.1111/pcn.12966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2019] [Accepted: 12/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
AIM Phenomena within the psychosis continuum that varies in frequency/duration/intensity have been increasingly identified. Different terms describe these phenomena, however there is no standardization within the terminology. This review evaluated the definitions and assessment tools of seven terms - (i) 'psychotic experiences'; (ii) 'psychotic-like experiences'; (iii) 'psychotic-like symptoms'; (iv) 'attenuated psychotic symptoms'; (v) 'prodromal psychotic symptoms'; (vi) 'psychotic symptomatology'; and (vii) 'psychotic symptoms'. METHODS EMBASE, MEDLINE, and CINAHL were searched during February-March 2019. Inclusion criteria included 1989-2019, full text, human, and English. Papers with no explicit definition or assessment tool, duplicates, conference abstracts, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, or no access were excluded. RESULTS A total of 2238 papers were identified and of these, 627 were included. Definitions and assessment tools varied, but some trends were found. Psychotic experiences and psychotic-like experiences were transient and mild, found in the general population and those at-risk. Psychotic-like symptoms were subthreshold and among at-risk populations and non-psychotic mental disorders. Attenuated psychotic symptoms were subthreshold but associated with distress, risk, and help-seeking. Prodromal psychotic symptoms referred to the prodrome of psychotic disorders. Psychotic symptomatology included delusions and hallucinations within psychotic disorders. Psychotic symptoms was the broadest term, encompassing a range of populations but most commonly involving hallucinations, delusions, thought disorder, and disorganization. DISCUSSION A model for conceptualizing the required terms is proposed and future directions needed to advance this field of research are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie Seiler
- Orygen, the National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia.,Centre for Youth Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia.,The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia.,Orygen Youth Health, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Tony Nguyen
- Orygen, the National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia.,Centre for Youth Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia.,The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia.,Orygen Youth Health, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Alison Yung
- Orygen, the National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia.,Centre for Youth Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia.,Orygen Youth Health, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Brian O'Donoghue
- Orygen, the National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia.,Centre for Youth Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia.,Orygen Youth Health, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia
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9
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Hüfner K, Brugger H, Caramazza F, Stawinoga AE, Brodmann-Maeder M, Gatterer H, Turner R, Tomazin I, Fusar-Poli P, Sperner-Unterweger B. Development of a Self-Administered Questionnaire to Detect Psychosis at High Altitude: The HAPSY Questionnaire. High Alt Med Biol 2019; 20:352-360. [DOI: 10.1089/ham.2019.0009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Hüfner
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, University Clinic for Psychiatry II, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Hermann Brugger
- Institute of Mountain Emergency Medicine, EURAC Research, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Fabio Caramazza
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, University Clinic for Psychiatry II, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria
- Institute of Mountain Emergency Medicine, EURAC Research, Bolzano, Italy
| | | | - Monika Brodmann-Maeder
- Institute of Mountain Emergency Medicine, EURAC Research, Bolzano, Italy
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Bern University, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Hannes Gatterer
- Institute of Mountain Emergency Medicine, EURAC Research, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Rachel Turner
- Institute of Mountain Emergency Medicine, EURAC Research, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Iztok Tomazin
- Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Paolo Fusar-Poli
- Early Psychosis: Interventions and Clinical-Detection (EPIC) Lab, Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
- OASIS Service, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
- National Institute for Health Research, Maudsley Biomedical Research Centre, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Barbara Sperner-Unterweger
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, University Clinic for Psychiatry II, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria
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10
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Prefrontal neural dynamics in consciousness. Neuropsychologia 2019; 131:25-41. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2019.05.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2018] [Revised: 05/17/2019] [Accepted: 05/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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11
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Caputo GB. Strange-face illusions during eye-to-eye gazing in dyads: specific effects on derealization, depersonalization and dissociative identity. J Trauma Dissociation 2019; 20:420-444. [PMID: 30938658 DOI: 10.1080/15299732.2019.1597807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Experimentally induced strange-face illusions can be perceived when two individuals look at each other in the eyes under low illumination for about 10 minutes. This task of subject-other eye-to-eye gazing produces the following perceptions by the subject: (i) mild to huge deformations and color/shape changes of face and facial features; (ii) lifeless, unmoving faces and immaterial presences akin to out-of-body experiences; (iii) pseudo-hallucinations, enlightened 'idealized' faces and personalities - rather than the other's actual face. Dissociative phenomena seem to be involved, whereas the effects of non-pathological dissociation on strange-face illusions have not yet been directly investigated. In the present study, dissociative perceptions and strange-face illusions were measured through self-report questionnaires on a large sample (N = 90) of healthy young individuals. Results of correlation and factor analyses suggest that strange-face illusions can involve, respectively: (i) strange-face illusions correlated to derealization; (ii) strange-face illusions correlated to depersonalization; and (iii) strange-face illusions of identity, which are supposedly correlated to identity dissociation. The findings support the separation between detachment and compartmentalization in dissociative processes. Effects of gender show that strange-face illusions are more frequent in men with respect to women if dyads are composed of individuals of different-gender. Furthermore, drawings of strange-faces, which were perceived by portrait artists in place the others' faces, allowed a direct illustration of examples of dissociative identities. Findings are discussed in relation to the three-level model of self-referential processing.
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12
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Grant P, Munk AJL, Hennig J. A positive-psychological intervention reduces acute psychosis-proneness. Schizophr Res 2018; 199:414-419. [PMID: 29661523 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2018.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2017] [Revised: 03/29/2018] [Accepted: 04/03/2018] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND While individuals at ultra-risk for schizophrenia are characterized by high negative/disorganised but low positive schizotypy, schizophrenia patients are usually high in all three schizotypy facets. Thus, avoiding increases in positive schizotypy in ultra-high risk individuals may constitute of form of schizophrenia-prevention. A possible method of reducing positive schizotypy could be Positive-Psychological intervention (PI). METHODS We present results from 2 independent studies, including a 12-month follow-up from study 1, using an easy-to-perform intervention based on Positive Psychology to reduce positive schizotypy. RESULTS A PI can significantly and sustainably reduce positive schizotypy compared to a placebo-condition. Furthermore, our results show very high response-rates to said intervention, with responsiveness to the intervention increasing significantly with disorganised schizotypic traits. CONCLUSIONS As especially disorganised schizotypy is of relevance for the risk of transition from high benign schizotypy to schizophrenia and is found most closely associated to familial schizophrenia-risk and highly elevated in at-risk mental states, our results are encouraging. We suggest, thus, that positive psychology can not only reduce positive schizotypy, but may be increasingly useful with rising schizophrenia-risk and, thus, be worthy of further investigation regarding it potential in schizophrenia-prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phillip Grant
- Biological Psychology and Individual Differences, Department of Psychology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Germany; Faculty of Life Science Engineering, Technische Hochschule Mittelhessen University of Applied Sciences, Giessen, Germany.
| | - Aisha Judith Leila Munk
- Biological Psychology and Individual Differences, Department of Psychology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Germany
| | - Juergen Hennig
- Biological Psychology and Individual Differences, Department of Psychology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Germany
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13
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Hüfner K, Brugger H, Kuster E, Dünsser F, Stawinoga AE, Turner R, Tomazin I, Sperner-Unterweger B. Isolated psychosis during exposure to very high and extreme altitude - characterisation of a new medical entity. Psychol Med 2018; 48:1872-1879. [PMID: 29202898 PMCID: PMC6088769 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291717003397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2017] [Revised: 10/24/2017] [Accepted: 10/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Psychotic episodes during exposure to very high or extreme altitude have been frequently reported in mountain literature, but not systematically analysed and acknowledged as a distinct clinical entity. METHODS Episodes reported above 3500 m altitude with possible psychosis were collected from the lay literature and provide the basis for this observational study. Dimensional criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders were used for psychosis, and the Lake Louise Scoring criteria for acute mountain sickness and high-altitude cerebral oedema (HACE). Eighty-three of the episodes collected underwent a cluster analysis to identify similar groups. Ratings were done by two independent, trained researchers (κ values 0.6-1).FindingsCluster 1 included 51% (42/83) episodes without psychosis; cluster 2 22% (18/83) cases with psychosis, plus symptoms of HACE or mental status change from other origins; and cluster 3 28% (23/83) episodes with isolated psychosis. Possible risk factors of psychosis and associated somatic symptoms were analysed between the three clusters and revealed differences regarding the factors 'starvation' (χ2 test, p = 0.002), 'frostbite' (p = 0.024) and 'supplemental oxygen' (p = 0.046). Episodes with psychosis were reversible but associated with near accidents and accidents (p = 0.007, odds ratio 4.44). CONCLUSIONS Episodes of psychosis during exposure to high altitude are frequently reported, but have not been specifically examined or assigned to medical diagnoses. In addition to the risk of suffering from somatic mountain illnesses, climbers and workers at high altitude should be aware of the potential occurrence of psychotic episodes, the associated risks and respective coping strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Hüfner
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, University Hospital of Psychiatry II, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Hermann Brugger
- Institute of Mountain Emergency Medicine, EURAC research, Bolzano, Italy
- Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Eva Kuster
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, University Hospital of Psychiatry II, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Franziska Dünsser
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, University Hospital of Psychiatry II, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | | | - Rachel Turner
- Institute of Mountain Emergency Medicine, EURAC research, Bolzano, Italy
- Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Iztok Tomazin
- Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Barbara Sperner-Unterweger
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, University Hospital of Psychiatry II, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
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14
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Glicksohn J, Berkovich-Ohana A, Mauro F, Ben-Soussan TD. Time Perception and the Experience of Time When Immersed in an Altered Sensory Environment. Front Hum Neurosci 2017; 11:487. [PMID: 29056902 PMCID: PMC5635043 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2017.00487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2017] [Accepted: 09/21/2017] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The notion that exposure to a monotonous sensory environment could elicit reports indicating aberrant subjective experience and altered time perception is the impetus for the present report. Research has looked at the influence of exposure to such environments on time perception, reporting that the greater the environmental variation, the shorter is the time estimation obtained by the method of production. Most conditions for creating an altered sensory environment, however, have not facilitated an immersive experience, one that directly impacts both time perception and subjective experience. In this study, we invited our participants to enter a whole-body altered sensory environment for a 20-min session, wherein they were asked to relax without falling asleep. The session included white-colored illumination of the chamber with eyes closed (5 min), followed by 10 min of illuminating the room with color, after which a short report of subjective experience was collected using a brief questionnaire; this was followed by an additional 5 min of immersion in white light with closed eyes. The participants were then interviewed regarding their subjective experience, including their experience of time within the chamber. Prior to entering the chamber, the participants completed a time-production (TP) task. One group of participants then repeated the task within the chamber, at the end of the session; a second group of participants repeated the task after exiting the chamber. We shall report on changes in TP, and present data indicating that when produced time is plotted as a function of target duration, using a log-log plot, the major influence of sensory environment is on the intercept of the psychophysical function. We shall further present data indicating that for those participants reporting a marked change in time experience, such as "the sensation of time disappeared," their TP data could not be linearized using a log-log plot, hence indicating that for these individuals there might be a "break" in the psychophysical function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Glicksohn
- Department of Criminology, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
- The Leslie and Susan Gonda (Goldschmied) Multidisciplinary Brain Research Center, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Aviva Berkovich-Ohana
- The Edmond J. Safra Brain Research Center for the Study of Learning Disabilities, Faculty of Education, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Federica Mauro
- Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Tal D. Ben-Soussan
- Research Institute for Neuroscience, Education and Didactics, Patrizio Paoletti Foundation for Development and Communication, Assisi, Italy
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15
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Seeman MV. Solitude and schizophrenia. PSYCHOSIS-PSYCHOLOGICAL SOCIAL AND INTEGRATIVE APPROACHES 2016. [DOI: 10.1080/17522439.2016.1264992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mary V. Seeman
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
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16
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Stip E, Thibault A, Beauchamp-Chatel A, Kisely S. Internet Addiction, Hikikomori Syndrome, and the Prodromal Phase of Psychosis. Front Psychiatry 2016; 7:6. [PMID: 26973544 PMCID: PMC4776119 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2016.00006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2015] [Accepted: 01/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Computers, video games, and technological devices are part of young people's everyday lives. Hikikomori is a Japanese word describing a condition that mainly affects adolescents or young adults who live isolated from the world, cloistered within their parents' homes, locked in their bedrooms for days, months, or even years on end, and refusing to communicate even with their family. These patients use the Internet profusely, and only venture out to deal with their most imperative bodily needs. Although first described in Japan, cases have been described from around the world. This is the first published report from Canada. The disorder shares characteristics with prodromal psychosis, negative symptoms of schizophrenia, or Internet addiction, which are common differential or comorbid diagnoses. However, certain cases are not accompanied by a mental disorder. Psychotherapy is the treatment of choice although many cases are reluctant to present. The exact place of hikikomori in psychiatric nosology has yet to be determined. We searched Medline up to 12th May, 2015 supplemented by a hand search of the bibliographies of all retrieved articles. We used the following search terms: Hikikomori OR (prolonged AND social AND withdrawal). We found 97 potential papers. Of these 42 were in Japanese, and 1 in Korean. However, many of these were cited by subsequent English language papers that were included in the review. Following scrutiny of the titles and abstracts, 29 were judged to be relevant. Further research is needed to distinguish between primary and secondary hikikomori and establish whether this is a new diagnostic entity, or particular cultural or societal manifestations of established diagnoses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuel Stip
- Département de Psychiatrie, Faculté de Médecine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada; Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, Hôpital Notre-Dame, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Alexis Thibault
- Département de Psychiatrie, Faculté de Médecine, Université de Montréal , Montréal, QC , Canada
| | - Alexis Beauchamp-Chatel
- Département de Psychiatrie, Faculté de Médecine, Université de Montréal , Montréal, QC , Canada
| | - Steve Kisely
- School of Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia; Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada; Department of Community Health and Epidemiology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
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