Anomalous self-experiences and their relationship with symptoms, neuro-cognition, and functioning in at-risk adolescents and young adults.
Comprehensive psychiatry February 1, 2016 Anna Comparelli, Valentina Corigliano, Antonella De Carolis et al.
Anomalous self-experience (ASE), such as disturbances in the sense of self, may be a feature of vulnerability to schizophrenia. In 45 adolescents and young adults at ultra-high risk for psychosis, those with higher ASE in two domains (stream of consciousness and self-awareness) showed worse global functioning. A strong association between ASE scores and functioning was found after controlling for confounding variables. Factor analysis revealed two underlying factors: one related to prodromal symptoms and another combining ASE and functioning. These findings suggest that self-experience disturbances are present early in schizophrenia and relate to functioning, potentially serving as an additional risk marker.