Reconstruction of the Sense of Self in Schizophrenia Patients

The Lack of Research on the Recovery of the Sense of Self

Traditionally, schizophrenia is associated with a person’s distortion in – or, in the worst cases, loss of – a so-called sense of self. According to Davidson (2020), one’s sense of self is their experiences’ main subject and their actions’ main agent. Many of schizophrenia’s symptoms and signs – such as delusions and hallucinations – are considered to be the final result of a disturbance of the sense of self, which is regarded as inexorable or permanent (Davidson, 2020). At the very least, at present, research is largely focused on exploring the nature of this disturbance than on its improvement, restoration, or recovery. Meanwhile, I am certain that a more detailed examination of the issue of recovery of the sense of self might be the key to helping schizophrenic patients in their treatment.

Exploration of the Recovery-Oriented Practices

Recovery of a sense of self in patients with psychosis is very much possible. However, as stated by Davidson (2020), it does not seem feasible to begin to recreate a sense of self by choice or in a direct or entirely intentional manner. This is due to it being rather an unintended side issue of particular types of experience – for instance, affirmation, acceptance, and hope. Therefore, recovery’s nature becomes a challenge for mental health professionals with hopes of promoting the process in schizophrenia patients. Fortunately for them, notes Davidson (2020), a body of literature concerning the evolvement and assessment of so-called recovery-oriented practices increases from day to day. In my opinion, the exploration of these practices and their professional assessment will assist in determining how relevant they are and in what ways they help. As a result, patients with psychosis will be assured of getting appropriate treatment that is genuinely conducive to restoring their sense of self.

Integration of the New Self into the World

It is interesting to note that reconstruction itself is not the only task that a patient has to face. Gemeay and Sabra (2018) state that the determination of how the new self will fit into the outside world is as challenging as essentially rebuilding that self. However, if one manages to restore their identity through the study of new perspectives about self, the world, and personal experiences of mental disorders, then success in recovery is highly likely. Examining how to help schizophrenic patients with this will contribute to attesting that all previous treatment has not been in vain in terms of a person’s returning to a more or less normal life.

References

Davidson, L. (2020). Recovering a sense of self in schizophrenia. Journal of Personality, 88(1), 122-132. Web.

Gemeay, E. M., & Sabra, A. I. (2018). Relation between sense of self and recovery among patients with mental illness. International Journal of Novel Research in Healthcare and Nursing, 5(3), 170-179. Web.