It Is Movement All the Way Down: Broken Rhythms and Embodied Selfhood in Depersonalization

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychology
• Philosophy of Mind

Background:

• Embodied selfhood relies on integrating multisensory bodily signals and movement.
• Dynamic and rhythmic coupling between bodily movements and actions is crucial for adaptive behaviors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose a theoretical framework for embodied selfhood based on dynamic coupling.
• To explore the role of rhythmic bodily signals in maintaining a coherent sense of self.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing Predictive Processing (PP) and Active Inference frameworks.
• Examining somatosensory attenuation in relation to dynamic selfhood.
• Analyzing rhythmic bodily signals (heartbeats, breathing, walking).

Main Results:

• Rhythmic bodily signals are predictable and can be attenuated (processed in the background).
• This self-attenuation contributes to a stable sense of self.
• Depersonalization Disorder may arise from a failure in self-attenuation of self-related information.

Conclusions:

• Dynamic coupling of movement and action is fundamental to embodied selfhood.
• Predictive processing of rhythmic bodily signals is key to self-awareness.
• Therapeutic interventions targeting self-attenuation may benefit individuals with Depersonalization Disorder.