| Abstract: | Chronic high levels of disruptive anxiety (terror) related to annihilation fears have been observed as a pathognomonic finding in schizophrenia. It has been hypothesized that annihilation anxiety in schizophrenia is related to early traumatic interpersonal experiences and patterns of relationship that are internalized in the formation of pathological models of the world, the self, and others. The internalized traumatic experiential models of reality lead to a set of conditioned expectations that make internal and external existence painful and terrifying in relation to others. The dynamics of the compulsive schizophrenic's suicidal intent are considered in relation to helplessness and victimization, persecutory annihilation anxieties, and compliance with and escape from fantasies of annihilation. Case examples illustrating these phenomena are presented. Therapists must establish a protective and gratifying therapeutic relationship to contain the schizophrenic's annihilation anxiety or suicidal intent. (42 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved) |
