Autism spectrum disorder and schizophrenia: a phenomenological comparison

Area of Science:

• Phenomenology
• Psychiatry
• Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Background:

• Schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) share clinical and historical links.
• Phenomenological differences between schizophrenia and ASD remain under-investigated.
• Both disorders involve distortions in engaging with the world and others.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate phenomenological differences between schizophrenia and ASD.
• To compare the self, intersubjectivity, and self's relationship with the life-world in both disorders.
• To explore how delusions manifest differently in schizophrenia and ASD.

Main Methods:

• Phenomenological analysis of subjective experiences.
• Comparative study of self-world relationships.
• Examination of intersubjectivity and life-world engagement.

Main Results:

• A key difference lies in the self-world relationship: unstable/fragmented in schizophrenia versus stable in ASD.
• Schizophrenic autism is characterized by disruptions in the self, intersubjectivity, and the self's relation to the life-world.
• Delusions may represent distinct alterations in the self's relationship with the world across disorders.

Conclusions:

• Significant phenomenological distinctions exist between schizophrenia and ASD, particularly in the self-world relationship.
• Understanding these differences is crucial for accurate diagnosis and treatment.
• Further research into the subjective experience of these disorders is warranted.