Existential vulnerability

• Verfasst von: Fuchs, Thomas [VerfasserIn]
• Titel: Existential vulnerability
• Titelzusatz: toward a psychopathology of limit situations
• Verf.angabe: Thomas Fuchs
• E-Jahr: 2013
• Jahr: July 11, 2013
• Umfang: 8 S.
• Fussnoten: Gesehen am 23.10.2020
• Titel Quelle: Enthalten in: Psychopathology
• Ort Quelle: Basel : Karger, 1968
• Jahr Quelle: 2013
• Band/Heft Quelle: 46(2013), 5, Seite 301-308
• ISSN Quelle: 1423-033X
• DOI: doi:10.1159/000351838
• Datenträger: Online-Ressource
• Sprache: eng
• K10plus-PPN: 1736499696

Abstract

Jaspers' concept of limit situations seems particularly appropriate not only to elucidate outstanding existential situations in general, but also basic preconditions for the occurrence of mental disorders. For this purpose, the concept is first explained in Jaspers' sense and then related to an ‘existential vulnerability' of mentally ill persons that makes them experience even inconspicuous events as distressing limit situations. In such situations, an otherwise hidden fundamental condition of existence becomes manifest for them, e.g. the fragility of one's own body, the inevitability of freedom, or the finiteness of life. This fundamental condition is found unbearable and, as a reaction, gives rise to mental illness. This concept of existential vulnerability is illustrated by some psychopathological examples.