Lecture 12

Abstract

In the previous discussion of allopsychic delusions of explanation we could not avoid the fact that a large proportion of chronic psychotic states, whether they be temporary or permanent, are accompanied by sensory deceptions, admittedly—in the former case—just insofar as they coincide with episodes of acute illness. In addition, sensory deceptions can persist, even in cases of residual chronic mental disturbance, sometimes permanently, sometimes temporarily, or only on certain occasions. This appears to contradict all our preconceptions that conscious activity has returned to normal in residual paranoid states, since it is notable that, for sensory deceptions, there is a clear disturbance of conscious activity. If it has not returned to normal, then we ask ourselves whether any definite signs of a more florid, evolving disease process remain, when chronic mental disorder is accompanied by sensory deceptions. Gentlemen! The very fact that this question is raised proves to you the difficulty that often confronts us in deciding between residual mental disorder and chronic psychoses.