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Carl Jung: a life on the edge of reality with hypnagogia, hyperphantasia, and hallucinations

DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1358329
Incekara, F., & Blom, J. D. (2024). Carl jung: a life on the edge of reality with hypnagogia, hyperphantasia, and hallucinations. Frontiers in Psychology, 15. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1358329

Abstract

Whether the Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung (1875–1961) became psychotic after his mid-thirties is much debated. His recently published Black Books, a seven-volume journal, reveal new insights into this debate. Based on a phenomenological analysis of his self-reports in these books and in other writings, we here identify several types of anomalous perceptual experiences: hypnagogic-hypnopompic experiences, hyperphantasia, hallucinations, personifications, and sensed presence. We argue that these experiences were not indicative of a psychotic disorder, but rather stemmed from extremely vivid mental imagery, or hyperphantasia, a condition Jung’s contemporaries and later biographers were unable to take into account because it had not yet been conceptualised. Recently, the degree of vividness of mental imagery and its potential to become indistinguishable from regular sense perception has been the subject of extensive studies. Unknowingly, Jung may have foreshadowed this line of research with his psychoanalytic concept of reality equivalence, i.e., the substitution of an external world for an inner mental reality that he encountered in individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia. There is a need for future research to investigate the possible role of hyperphantasia in psychotic experiences, but to Jung, psychosis was ‘a failure to contain and comprehend’ the content of one’s experiences in the context of one’s own life, whereas he himself did manage to put the content of his perceptual experiences into context, to find meaning in them, and to share them with others - to great acknowledgement and acclaim.

Authors

  • Fatih Incekara1
  • Jan Dirk Blom1

Exploring Carl Jung's Mind: A Journey Through Vivid Imagery and Perception

Overview/Introduction

The Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung, a prominent figure in the field of psychology, has long been the subject of debate regarding his mental state after his mid-thirties. Some have speculated that he experienced psychosis, while others argue otherwise. Recently, the publication of Jung's "Black Books," a seven-volume journal, has provided new insights into this discussion. This research paper delves into Jung's self-reported experiences, exploring whether they indicate a psychotic disorder or something else entirely.

Methodology

The researchers conducted a phenomenological analysis of Jung's writings, particularly focusing on his "Black Books" and other posthumously published works. This approach involved examining Jung's descriptions of his experiences to understand their nature and origin. The study identified various types of perceptual experiences, such as hypnagogic-hypnopompic experiences (occurring between wakefulness and sleep), hyperphantasia (extremely vivid mental imagery), and hallucinations.

Key Findings

  • Jung's experiences were not indicative of a psychotic disorder. Instead, they were likely due to hyperphantasia, a condition characterized by vivid mental imagery that can be indistinguishable from reality.
  • Jung's contemporaries and biographers did not consider hyperphantasia because it was not yet conceptualized during his time.
  • Jung's concept of reality equivalence—the idea that an inner mental reality can substitute for the external world—aligns with modern research on vivid mental imagery.
  • Despite experiencing hallucinations and other perceptual anomalies, Jung managed to contextualize and find meaning in these experiences, which he shared with others.

Implications

The study suggests that hyperphantasia might play a role in experiences traditionally labeled as psychotic. This finding opens new avenues for research into the relationship between vivid mental imagery and psychosis. For Jung, these experiences were not a sign of mental illness but rather a profound engagement with his inner world, which he successfully integrated into his life and work.

Limitations

While the study provides valuable insights, it is based on a retrospective analysis of Jung's writings, which may not capture the full complexity of his experiences. Additionally, the concept of hyperphantasia is relatively new, and further research is needed to fully understand its implications.
In conclusion, Carl Jung's perceptual experiences, once thought to indicate psychosis, may instead reflect a rare and vivid form of mental imagery. This understanding not only sheds light on Jung's life but also challenges traditional views of mental health, encouraging a broader exploration of the mind's capabilities.