They have taken out my spinal cord: an interpretative phenomenological analysis of self-boundary in psychotic experience within a sociocentric culture.

In a sociocentric culture where self-boundary is traditionally porous, psychotic experiences can radically alter one's sense of self. This interpretative phenomenological analysis explores how individuals describe their self-boundary during psychosis, using the metaphor of having their spinal cord removed to convey a profound loss of internal structure and autonomy. The analysis reveals that psychotic episodes disrupt the usual fluid boundaries of self, leading to a felt disintegration that is both terrifying and culturally shaped. The findings suggest that understanding self-boundary in psychosis requires attending to cultural context, as sociocentric norms may influence how such experiences are interpreted and narrated.

Study at a glance

Abstract

They have taken out my spinal cord: an interpretative phenomenological analysis of self-boundary in psychotic experience within a sociocentric culture.