Psychic phenomena in a psychiatric clinic

(Parapsychology in the USSR. - 1992. - No. 1. - P.52-56.)

Article by psychiatrist A.G. Lee

Translated by Google Translate

Objective methods established the manifestation of extrasensory phenomena (the ability to clairvoyance) during the exacerbation of a number of mental illnesses and traced their change in the course of treatment. The simplest methods of objective testing of patients are described to separate extrasensory phenomena from other gross psychopathological symptoms, which can be used to conduct research on parapsychology in a psychiatric clinic.

The manifestation of extrasensory phenomena (clairvoyance, proscopy, telepathy, dowsing, telekinesis, etc.) is associated with altered states of consciousness. There are various methods of controlled formation of altered states of consciousness specifically aimed at revealing extrasensory abilities (for example, hypnosis, yoga, rebirthing, a number of drug methods, impact on peripheral sensory systems, etc.). On the other hand, in a psychiatric clinic there is a wide range of altered states of consciousness caused by illness, which are difficult or impossible to create by any means. This provides the richest experimental material for a deep study of the relationship of extrasensory phenomena and features in the organization of brain activity. It should be noted that it was in Soviet psychiatry that the "phenomenon of anticipation" and "the phenomenon of expanding the space of vision" were first identified and a possible connection in the manifestation of these phenomena with functional brain asymmetry (FAM) was shown [1]. It is also a positive point that extrasensory phenomena can be assessed by objective methods, and not based only on the subjective statements of patients. The purpose of this work is to draw the attention of psychiatrists to the possible manifestations of extrasensory phenomena in a psychiatric clinic, to acquaint them with the simplest methods of their objective assessment and, ultimately, not to lose unusual phenomena against the background of other gross psychopathological symptoms. Below are the results obtained in two patients admitted to the acute department of one of the Moscow clinical psychiatric hospitals. Extracts from their medical histories and descriptions of their mental status have been greatly reduced.

To study the ability for extrasensory perception (clairvoyance), the following methods were used. The patient (subject) was asked to separate 10 objects of the same type from 10 others. items were placed in closed envelopes and boxes. In experiments on the so-called "optical skin vision" (KOZ), it was necessary to separate 10 red cards in envelopes from 10 blue ones, in the "biolocation" test - to identify various objects in closed boxes: metals, plastics, wood, parts of plants, small insects and animals. The experiment was organized in such a way that the experimental doctor did not know in advance about the placement of objects in envelopes and boxes. After conducting one series, the doctor together with the subject evaluated the results. The duration of one series, consisting of 20 samples, took, depending on the patient's condition, from 1 to 20 minutes. This technique is described in more detail in [2].

Testing was carried out in the first three days after admission to the hospital 2-3 times during the day with various tests against the background of the treatment. 10 days after the start of treatment, repeated testing was carried out with all tests, also within 3 days, 2-3 times a day. The number of correct answers was assessed by the sum of the results of all tests. The number of correct answers for the hypothesis of absolutely random guessing is 50%. The error in determining the method is 15%. The testing procedure in the early days presents significant difficulties due to the condition of the patients.

Patient Mr. B., born in 1968 Diagnosis: Recurrent schizophrenia. (Acute paraphrenic condition. Sensual delirium of grandeur, meaning, staging dominates.) Kandinsky-Clerambo syndrome. Re-hospitalization.

Mental status at the time of the study (first days in the department): Formally clear consciousness. Complaints of confusion in the head, anxiety, restlessness, dizziness. Oriented in place, time. He enters into the conversation willingly, the attitude to the conversation is indifferent, passive. The mood is even. Emotionally flattened. Answers the questions adequately, in monosyllables. Attention is scattered, often loses thought, speech breaks off. It takes time to remember the story of the conversation. The patient speaks of "duality, multiplicity of oneself." Expresses ideas that "he can be an evil wizard and influence other people." Many objects and actions are related to it, for example, programs on television. Periodically flies in space, talks with other creatures that look like people. According to the patient, during the study "hears voices, male and female." He believes that the doctor reads his thoughts, and he himself can influence the doctor: the doctor says and does what he wants. Voices tell him to do something or not to do something, but he "resists it." Understands the allegorical meaning of proverbs, performs the simplest arithmetic operations correctly. Performs commands correctly. In the process of performing the tests, the patient was constantly distracted, listened, believed that everyone in the corridor was talking about him, and had to constantly remind him of the need to perform tests. Due to the patient's condition, the tests were followed in separate blocks, with minor interruptions from 1 to 5 minutes.

In the first three days of hospitalization, the total number of correctly given answers to tests reached 86%. The performance of the tests varied during the day and was higher in the evening experiments. From the moment of admission, the patient received the necessary medical care (haloperidol, chlorprothixene, cyclodol, sonapax). 10 days after the start of treatment, the patient's condition improved rapidly. There was a critical attitude to the painful experiences he had endured. Retesting was performed one week after hospitalization. The patient's attention was stable, he took part in testing with interest. The number of correctly given answers for all tests was 55%, which does not exceed the random level of guessing (50% of correctly given answers).

Patient K. A., born in 1969 Diagnosis: Fur coat schizophrenia. Affective delusional attack. Re-hospitalization.

Mental status: On admission, he is not completely time-oriented; he names different dates several times. During a conversation, he cannot sit still, tries to leave, sings songs, laughs. He gives information about himself fragmentarily, in isolation. Says he "possesses hypnosis." Motively excited, the background of the mood is heightened, voluminous, the thinking is diverse, torn, paralogical. Attention is unstable. Delusions or hallucinations does not reveal. The mood is unstable, easily changes under the influence of external influences. Often he cannot fall asleep at night for a long time. Foolish.

In the first three days of hospitalization, the number of correctly given answers on all tests reached 89%. Treatment: chlorpromazine, lithium carbonate, leponex, amitriptyline. During the treatment, the mood became even. The behavior is correct. Contact is available. Notes an improvement in well-being. Benevolent. Participates in research with interest. When tested 10 days after the start of treatment, the number of correctly given answers does not exceed 57%.

Thus, in both cases, despite the difficulties of testing due to the condition of the subjects, it is possible to identify extrasensory phenomena by objective methods, namely the ability to clairvoyance. Experience shows that higher results are obtained when testing is organized in the form of a game or competition, or when other stimuli that are significant for the patient are created for the correct solution of the tests. I urge psychiatrists to pay more attention to their patients and not to miss unusual phenomena, adding to the clinical examination the simplest methods of objective testing of psychic phenomena. Of particular interest is the study of acute conditions, although extrasensory phenomena are manifested in a number of borderline conditions, brain injuries, age-related changes, in menopause and puberty. It is important to establish the relationship between the patient's mental state, neurophysiological data, the FAM profile and the severity and reproducibility of extrasensory phenomena.

Parapsychology Foundation L.L. Vasilyeva is ready to publish on the pages of his journal or publish in the form of a separate brochure research carried out by psychiatrists in this area, as well as interesting cases and observations from his practical work.

Literature

1. Bragina N.N., Dobrokhotova T.A. Human functional asymmetry. M .: Medicine, 1988, 240 p.

2. Lee A.G. On the question of the methodology for studying some unusual phenomena of the human psyche. - Parapsychology in the USSR, 1991, N 2, p. 34-38.