[Disturbances of body experience in schizophrenic patients]

Disturbances of body experience in schizophrenia patients occur frequently. They vary phenomenologically and lack exact and distinct definitions. Their theoretical and clinical relevance remains widely unclear. This review summarises the literature on clinically relevant symptoms such as coenaesthesis and body hallucinations, disturbances of pain perception, out-of-body-experiences, dysmorphophobia and self-injuries or self-mutilation. Empirical studies on the concepts of body schema, body concept and body cathexis are reported. Many of these studies have serious methodological shortcomings. The correlation of disturbances of body experience with other psychopathology is considered. Standardised methods for assessing these disturbances are listed. Effects of body-oriented psychotherapy have been suggested, but not empirically tested. Finally, the possible relevance of further research in this field is discussed.