Boredom and Psychotic Disorders: Cognitive and Motivational Issues

Abstract

CHRONIC BOREDOM and the conditions that induce boredom are associated with a host of undesirable outcomes. It is proposed that the course and treatment of schizophrenia and other severe mental illnesses (SMI) that require extended care in community-based treatment facilities are often complicated by such outcomes. Brief case studies are used to illustrate how sustained boredom can contribute to (1) postpsychotic mood disturbances, (2) increased risk-taking and substance-seeking behaviors in the residual phases of the illness, (3) the exacerbation of positive symptoms such as paranoia and hallucinations, (4) changes in distractibility and overall cognitive efficiency, and (5) a hypohedonic state of highly generalized uninterest. The observation is made that despite the potential value of boredom as a prodomal marker, few, if any, of the instruments commonly used to assess clinical change include a measure of boredom. It is suggested that training in covert boredom coping skills should be integrated into the social skills training and rehabilitation strategies currently employed with individuals with severe and persistent mental disorders.

Down on main street: Drugs and the small-town vortex

“…Some have attempted to psychologize boredom (Todman 2003), while for others boredom may represent the alienation or anomie of an underemployed working class (Barbalet 1999). Either way, however, boredom only tells part of the story.…”

The Moral Dimensions of Boredom: A Call for Research

“…A. Russell, 1980;Todman, 2003). While bored, one experiences feelings of dissatisfaction with one's current situation (e.g., Fisher, 1993;Harris, 2000;Hartocollis, 1972;Mikulas & Vodanovich, 1993;Pekrun el al., 2010;Todman, 2003). One feels weary and often even frustrated (e.g., Goetz & Frenzel, 2006;Harris, 2000;Martin et al, 2006).…”

Boredom: a comprehensive study of the state of affairs

“…Simple or situational boredom is defined as the most common state of taedium which is temporarily experienced by all human beings (Toohey 2011). Complex Boredom, for its part, is conceived as a transcendental form of taedium that many would define as profound and existential in the manner of Roman writer Emil Cioran in Histoire et Utopie (see also Todman 2003, Healy 1984. Whilst this second form of boredom has resulted in voluminous work in books and articles, precious little attention has been paid to "simple" boredom which is seen as trivial (Toohey 2011).…”