Monday Reading Group: Two Perspectives of Psychosis

This is a talk John Thor Cornelius, M.D. is giving at the ISPS US Conference in November - a national conference on psychosis. 

Come help him practice and work out the kinks!

No reading prior to the meeting required.

Two Perspectives of Psychosis

John Thor Cornelius

This presentation explores the balance between two general perspectives of psychosis. The ‘mechanical perspective’, in its current form, conceives of the mind as being almost exclusively influenced by the hardware of the brain and that psychosis is primarily the result of failed brain hardware such as neurotransmitter imbalances and abnormal brain structure caused by faulty genetics. The psychic perspective conceives of the mind as being primarily influenced by the software (or better, firmware) of human experience and therefore understands psychosis as primarily resulting from complicated, difficult or traumatic experiences, often occurring early in life. In the presentation I will explore both perspectives and propose that there is currently an imbalance between the perspectives that is not supported by a review of the scientific evidence base, case history or reason. I propose that a re-balanced view of the two perspectives might allow further nuance and insight into conceptions of psychosis that could improve treatment and redirect future research efforts into more effective areas.