vital sensations, distortions of
- vital sensations, distortions of
The German term Vitalempfindung,orvital sensation, was used by the German psychiatrist and philosopher Karl Jaspers (1883-1969) to denote any bodily sensation that induces awareness of the bodily state. Distortions of these vital sensations are believed to be capable of triggering bizarre somatic phenomena in the border region between *haptic hallucinations, * somatic hallucinations, *body schema illusions, and disturbances ofcoen-esthetic feeling (or * coenesthetic hallucinations, as they are sometimes referred to). As Jaspers wrote, "Reports from patients about their bodily sensations are inexhaustible. They feel turned into stone, dried up, shrunk, tired, empty, hollow or blocked. Sensations such as these cannot but alter the feeling of bodily existence. The patient feels he is a soap-bubble, or that his limbs are made of glass or describes himself in one or other of the countless ways in which patients try to depict their feelings." As noted by Jaspers, it is difficult in such instances - both clinically and conceptually - to discriminate between bodily sensations, hallucinations, and delusional interpretations of the underlying perceptual events.
References
Jaspers, K. (1997). General psychopathology. Volume 1. Translated by Hoenig, J., Hamilton, M.W. Baltimore, MA: Johns Hopkins University Press.
Dictionary of Hallucinations.
J.D. Blom.
2010.
Look at other dictionaries:
distortions of vital sensations — see vital sensations, distortions of … Dictionary of Hallucinations
somatic hallucination — Also known as somatosensory hallucination. Both terms are indebted to the Greek noun soma, which means body. They are used to denote a hallucination that mimics feelings from inside the body, such as sensations in the belly or the limbs.… … Dictionary of Hallucinations
literature — /lit euhr euh cheuhr, choor , li treuh /, n. 1. writings in which expression and form, in connection with ideas of permanent and universal interest, are characteristic or essential features, as poetry, novels, history, biography, and essays. 2.… … Universalium
tactile hallucination — Also known as tactile phantasma, haptic hallucination, touch hallucination, and hallucination of touch. The term tactile hallucination is indebted to the Latin verb tangere, which means to touch. It refers to a bodily sensation seemingly… … Dictionary of Hallucinations
Novel — For other uses, see Novel (disambiguation). Not to be confused with Novell. New novels in a Oldenburg bookshop, February 2009 … Wikipedia
pregnancy — /preg neuhn see/, n., pl. pregnancies. the state, condition, or quality of being pregnant. [1520 30; PREGN(ANT) + ANCY] * * * Process of human gestation that takes place in the female s body as a fetus develops, from fertilization to birth (see… … Universalium
Herbert of Cherbury (Lord) and the Cambridge Platonists — Lord Herbert of Cherbury and the Cambridge Platonists Sarah Hutton The philosophy of Lord Herbert of Cherbury (1582/3–1648) and of the Cambridge Platonists exemplifies the continuities of seventeenth century thought with Renaissance philosophy.… … History of philosophy
King Lear — This article is about Shakespeare s play. For other uses, see King Lear (disambiguation). King Lear and the Fool in the Storm by William Dyce (1806–1864) King Lear is a tragedy by William Shakespeare. The title character descends into madness… … Wikipedia
Felix Aderca — Froim Zelig Aderca Zelicu Froim Adercu Born March 13, 1891(1891 03 13) Puieşti Died December 12, 1962(1962 12 12) (ag … Wikipedia
mental disorder — Any illness with a psychological origin, manifested either in symptoms of emotional distress or in abnormal behaviour. Most mental disorders can be broadly classified as either psychoses or neuroses (see neurosis; psychosis). Psychoses (e.g.,… … Universalium
