Non-verbal Behavioural Dysfunction in Schizophrenia

Abstract

Psychiatric disorders are psychopathologically characterised by signs and symptoms. Although diagnosis and classification rely heavily on the patient's report of subjectively experienced symptoms, the assessment of the underlying psychopathological process can be impaired by the patient's distorted self-image, his cognitive abnormalities, and his limited capacity to express himself verbally. Non-verbal behaviour, however, lends itself to objective and generalisable assessments: it can be reliably and accurately observed and measured, and although subject to cultural influence, it is the infant's most elementary form of self-expression (Gaebel, 1990). In addition, it plays a major role in interpersonal communication, which is disturbed in all psychiatric disorders. Therefore, the analysis of non-verbal behavioural dysfunction offers an important approach to the complex biopsychosocial framework of mental disorders.

Understanding Body Movement

“…Likewise it has been demonstrated that movement behaviour is related to emotional processes and psychopathology (e.g. Scheflen, 1974;Davis, 1981Ulrich & Harms, 1985;Ellgring, 1986;Gaebel, 1992;Berry & Pennebaker, 1993;Willke, 1995;Cruz, 1995;Lausberg et al, 1996;Berger, 1999). Furthermore, movement behaviour serves to regulate interactive processes and to communicate information (e.g.…”