Effects of the decrease in sensory variability on body scheme.

Abstract

1. The disorganizing effects of sensory isolation on animals and normal human subjects led the authors to study this problem in mental patients for the purpose of gaining some information about the therapeutic value of the disorganization-reorganization sequence of the psychic events and about the problem of depersonalization and body scheme. 2. Two hebephrenics, 5 depressions, 2 obsessive neuroses, and 6 neurotic anxiety states were subjected to a partial sensory and expressive isolation for an average period of 4 days (eyes covered, arms maintained in a cardboard cylinder, and verbal communications only twice a day for interviewing.) 3. Two sets of changes occurred: (a) Disorganization: this consisted of the appearance of a depersonalization state in 8 cases; of visual, auditory, and gustatory hallucinoses, and of paresthesias. The two obsessional neuroses developed acute psychotic episodes, were treated with electric shock with subsequent improvement of both paranoid and obsessional states. (b) Reorganization: this consisted of a marked change in mood in almost all of the depressed cases, two of which showed lasting recovery and were discharged without any other therapy. In addition, constructive aggression occurred in most cases with an increasing tendency to association, surely and relationships-undertaking. 4. The common emergent dynamic process during isolation which was concomitant with the changes in body scheme was found to be related to the quantity and direction of aggressive tendencies. It appeared that repression and aggression turned against the self led to the depersonalization syndrome. 5. The theoretical aspect of the problem is discussed from three different points of view: organic, dynamic and organo-dynamic (relationship).