Identity Disturbance, Feelings of Emptiness, and the Boundaries of the Schizophrenia Spectrum

TY - JOUR

T1 - Identity Disturbance, Feelings of Emptiness, and the Boundaries of the Schizophrenia Spectrum

AU - Zandersen, Maja

AU - Parnas, Josef

N1 - © The Author(s) 2018. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Maryland Psychiatric Research Center.

PY - 2019/1/1

Y1 - 2019/1/1

N2 - Historical and current research on borderline personality disorder reveal certain affinities with schizophrenia spectrum psychopathology. This is also the case for the borderline criteria of "identity disturbance" and "feelings of emptiness," which reflect symptomatology frequently found in schizophrenia and schizotypal personality disorder. Unfortunately, the diagnostic manuals offer limited insight into the nature of these criteria, including possible deviations and similarities with schizophrenia spectrum symptomatology. In this article, we attempt to clarify the concepts of identity disturbance and feelings of emptiness with an emphasis on the criteria's differential diagnostic significance. Drawing on contemporary philosophy, we distinguish between a "narrative" self and a "core" self, suggesting that this distinction may assist differential diagnostic efforts and contribute to mark the psychopathological boundaries of these disorders.

AB - Historical and current research on borderline personality disorder reveal certain affinities with schizophrenia spectrum psychopathology. This is also the case for the borderline criteria of "identity disturbance" and "feelings of emptiness," which reflect symptomatology frequently found in schizophrenia and schizotypal personality disorder. Unfortunately, the diagnostic manuals offer limited insight into the nature of these criteria, including possible deviations and similarities with schizophrenia spectrum symptomatology. In this article, we attempt to clarify the concepts of identity disturbance and feelings of emptiness with an emphasis on the criteria's differential diagnostic significance. Drawing on contemporary philosophy, we distinguish between a "narrative" self and a "core" self, suggesting that this distinction may assist differential diagnostic efforts and contribute to mark the psychopathological boundaries of these disorders.

KW - Journal Article

U2 - 10.1093/schbul/sbx183

DO - 10.1093/schbul/sbx183

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 29373752

SN - 0586-7614

VL - 45

SP - 106

EP - 113

JO - Schizophrenia Bulletin

JF - Schizophrenia Bulletin

IS - 1

ER -