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Fantasy in psychiatric patients: exploring a myth
Hospital & Community Psychiatry
|January 1, 1979
Summary
This study found that severe psychopathology, like psychosis, is not linked to frequent daydreaming. Instead, patients often suppress normal fantasy, especially those with hallucinatory schizophrenia.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Psychiatry
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- Commonly believed that daydreams and fantasy contribute to severe psychopathology.
- Specifically, the role of fantasy in hallucinatory psychosis is often emphasized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between daydreaming, fantasy, and severe psychopathology.
- To examine if psychotic patients exhibit more frequent or vivid daydream activity.
- To explore the nature of fantasy in patients with depression and sleep disorders.
Main Methods:
- Conducted six interrelated studies.
- Assessed daydreaming and fantasy activity in patients with psychopathology.
- Compared fantasy styles in psychotic, depressed, and sleep-disordered patients.
Main Results:
- Results did not support the hypothesis that psychotic patients have more frequent or vivid daydreams.
- Psychotic patients, particularly those with hallucinatory schizophrenia, showed inhibited emotional-interpersonal imagery.
- A negative fantasy style was associated with clinical depression and sleep disorders.
Conclusions:
- The common conception linking daydreams and fantasy to severe psychopathology is not supported by the findings.
- Psychotic patients tend to inhibit normal fantasy processes.
- Negative fantasy styles are linked to depression and sleep disturbances.