Human Development

Schizophrenic fantasy

Description:
Schizophrenics have been shown to be part of a network of disturbed and disturbing patterns of communication. Their fantasies, previously thought of as unreal and needing to be interpreted for understanding of their individual problems, are real and meaningful experiences which can assist in the understanding of their inner selves and of the fear which attempts to divide the self from the body. The attitude to schizophrenic fantasy is held to be symptomatic of the general denial by society of the self and of experience. Acceptance of the fantasy aspect of experience would promote better understanding of the self and of others.
It is interesting that during the 'journey' that the schizophrenic makes into the psyche he encounters the archetypal, symbolic figures universal to traditional mythologies; and that, according to some sources, by successfully continuing the journey he may recover his balance through completion of the equivalent of the mythological spirit journey, having experienced chaotic and then harmonizing encounters which give new courage.
Related:
Archetype
Rites of passage