Lived autonomy and chronic mental illness: a phenomenological approach

Area of Science:

• Phenomenology
• Psychopathology
• Philosophy of Mind

Background:

• Lived autonomy is crucial for understanding subjective experience and agency.
• Chronic depression is often associated with significant alterations in self-perception and action.
• Existing frameworks may not fully capture the nuances of autonomy impairment in depression.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a phenomenological description of lived autonomy.
• To analyze alterations in lived autonomy linked to chronic depression and psychopathological symptoms.
• To explore the possibility of preserving aspects of lived autonomy despite depressive conditions.

Main Methods:

• Phenomenological analysis of lived autonomy, distinguishing pre-reflective and reflective types.
• Examination of how chronic depression, termed 'depressive habituality,' alters the perception of action-properties.
• Analysis of first-hand accounts to identify conditions for maintaining autonomy.

Main Results:

• Lived autonomy is characterized by pre-reflective and reflective dimensions, related to freedom of intentional action and freedom of will.
• Depressive habituality impairs the scope of perceived action-properties and the valuation of abilities, affecting both types of autonomy.
• Identification with 'depressive disabilities' can enable islands of lived autonomy, even of the reflective type.

Conclusions:

• Chronic depression significantly impacts lived autonomy through altered experiential workspaces and 'depressive habituality'.
• Despite impairments, a form of lived autonomy can be sustained through a specific mode of self-identification with depressive experiences.
• The findings offer a nuanced understanding of agency within the context of severe mental health conditions.