The Self: its origin, normal development and pathological alterations Interviews with Josef Parnas and Andrea Raballo

Abstract

Professor Josef Parnas and Dr. Andrea Raballo, who are both experts on anomalous subjective experiences in schizophrenia as well as on the psychopathology of psychosis, were asked a few questions during these two interviews. The aim was to try and explore in depth topics such as subjectivity and its alterations, the concept of the self and its meanings, in particular the so-called prereflective self and its relation to the unconscious mind. Both investigators were asked some questions aimed at clarifying how and when, in life, the basic self originates, how it may progress to pathological alterations and, when anomalous self-experiences are present, what the most suitable therapeutic approaches might be.