Existential vulnerability: toward a psychopathology of limit situations
Jaspers' concept of limit situations seems particularly appropriate not only to elucidate outstanding existential situations in general, but also basic preconditions for the occurrence of mental disorders. For this purpose, the concept is first explained in Jaspers' sense and then related...
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| Main Author: | |
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| Format: | Article (Journal) |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
July 11, 2013
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| In: |
Psychopathology
Year: 2013, Volume: 46, Issue: 5, Pages: 301-308 |
| ISSN: | 1423-033X |
| DOI: | 10.1159/000351838 |
| Online Access: | Verlag, lizenzpflichtig, Volltext: https://doi.org/10.1159/000351838 Verlag, lizenzpflichtig, Volltext: https://www.karger.com/Article/FullText/351838 
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| Author Notes: | Thomas Fuchs |
| Summary: | Jaspers' concept of limit situations seems particularly appropriate not only to elucidate outstanding existential situations in general, but also basic preconditions for the occurrence of mental disorders. For this purpose, the concept is first explained in Jaspers' sense and then related to an ‘existential vulnerability' of mentally ill persons that makes them experience even inconspicuous events as distressing limit situations. In such situations, an otherwise hidden fundamental condition of existence becomes manifest for them, e.g. the fragility of one's own body, the inevitability of freedom, or the finiteness of life. This fundamental condition is found unbearable and, as a reaction, gives rise to mental illness. This concept of existential vulnerability is illustrated by some psychopathological examples. |
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| Item Description: | Gesehen am 23.10.2020 |
| Physical Description: | Online Resource |
| ISSN: | 1423-033X |
| DOI: | 10.1159/000351838 |