Self-disorder facts for kids
A self-disorder is a special kind of problem that affects how a person experiences their own self. It's like a change in your "inner core" or how you sense who you are. This can make it hard to feel connected to reality. Self-disorders are sometimes seen in conditions like schizophrenia.
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What is a Self-Disorder?
A self-disorder is also known as an ipseity disturbance. This means there is a change in how a person experiences their "minimal self." The minimal self is your basic sense of being a unique person. It helps you feel real and separate from the world around you.
Your Inner Core: The Minimal Self
Think of your "minimal self" as a quiet, steady feeling inside you. It's the part that knows you are you. It helps you feel present and connected to what is happening. When this feeling is disturbed, it can make a person feel disconnected. They might feel like they are not fully real or that their thoughts are not truly their own.
How Self-Disorders Affect People
When someone has a self-disorder, their basic sense of who they are can feel different. This can show up in many ways. For example, they might feel like their body is not quite theirs. Or they might feel like their thoughts are being controlled by someone else. These feelings can be very confusing and upsetting.
Self-Disorders and Schizophrenia
Self-disorders are often connected to conditions like schizophrenia. Schizophrenia is a serious mental illness that affects how a person thinks, feels, and behaves. For people with schizophrenia, the disturbance in their minimal self can be a key part of their experience. It can make it harder for them to understand the world around them.
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