On the Delusional Experience of Controlling Other Persons in Acute Schizophrenics

Abstract

I present cases in which patients feel that they are able to control other persons, and consider the features of this delusional experience and note some points concerning its treatment. This delusional experience does not continue for a long period and is accompanied by a suicidal tendency, a pathological consciousness of the disappearance of the self, and some catatonic experiences. These features are not accidental, but result from the essentially solipsistic quality of this delusional experience. So, from the symptomatic viewpoint, this experience can be considered as belonging to catatonic ones in the acute phase of schizophrenia. From the therapeutic point of view, the occurrence of this experience should be carefully examined, bearing in mind its short duration. And when we encounter this experience, we should make provision against its suicidal tendency that often inevitably impels us to carry out electroconvulsive therapy.