Natural Healing Processes of the Mind: I. Acute Schizophrenic Disorganization*

It is proposed that there are three fundamental adaptive systems that have developed in the course of evolution. One of these, learning, is the only one that is widely recognized. The other two consist of regulation of the energetic aspect of stimulation, and integration of the data of experience into an organized conceptual system. Corresponding to each of the three basic adaptive systems are three basic types of disorder, namely maladaptive learning, which is by far the most common source of behavioral problems; overstimulation, as in the traumatic neurosis; and collapse of the individual's conceptual integrative system, as in acute schizophrenic disorganization. Just as relearning is a natural adaptive process for correcting problems produced by learning, there are inherent processes for correcting the disorders produced by overstimulation and by a maladaptive integrative system. The present article is concerned with the natural process for correcting a poorly organized conceptual system. A second article (Epstein 1978) will be devoted to the natural process of coping with the energic aspects of stimulation. An acute disorganizational state can provide an opportunity for a new and more effective conceptual system to develop. As a desperate remedy, it is often unsuccessful. Nevertheless, an orderly process can be discerned in such states that can enhance the likelihood that new, and dissociated old, material will be assimilated into a new organization. If all goes well, the new organization will be more resilient than the old one; it will be better able to accomplish the functions of an implicit theory of reality, which are to integrate the data of experience, to maintain a favorable pleasure-pain balance, and to maintain self-esteem.