PHENOMENOLOGY OF THE TECHNICAL DELUSION IN SCHIZOPHRENICS

Technical delusions are highly significant for the diagnosis of schizo phrenia. What can we learn from the content and the formal aspects of this kind of delusion about the primary schizophrenic experiences unde rlying the technical delusion and about its meaning and purpose for th e patient? In a phenomenological investigation of six schizophrenics, comparing their experiences in technical delusion with the normal expe rience of technical phenomena, I describe the patient's relationship t o himself, to his world, and to others and the modalities of his hallu cinatory perceptions. Finally, I discuss the effect of the technical d elusion on the patient's relationship to reality.