In addition, he perceived a direct "split" in his personality between his "self" and his "personality," something that many other patients experienced. They felt they were two people, split into two parts if you will, and that they could not effectively communicate this with others. In some people, this showed up as a feeling they were outside their own body, looking in. As Laing notes, "The body may go on acting in an outwardly normal way, but inwardly it is felt to be acting on its own, automatically" (Laing 83). Clearly, this would affect how the person viewed the world around him or her, and how they communicated as well. This dreamlike state is difficult to put into words, even in "sane" individuals.
Each of these people communicated differently, but they were all using their communications to indicate their loneliness, fear, and isolation. Because they live in a world of their own making, they have different motivations and needs than the "sane" individual, and yet, they can appear very rational and normal at times. Many of them carry on relationships and careers very successfully for the most part. They hide much of what they are feeling to protect themselves, but also because most of society would not understand them if they communicated what they were really feeling. It is this fear of being misunderstood that guides much of their communication and their experience with others in the world.
While each person communicated differently, there is a consistency to the results of their communication. Each person alienated others with their conversations, from James who saw others as machines and referred to even loved ones as "it," to David, who saw himself as an actor and usually spoke quoted lines rather than his own thoughts. Each of these patients used communication and miscommunication in order to keep their own feelings and ideas private and hidden away. They all had deep-seated...
Many also had feelings of self-hatred that were difficult for them to communicate as well, and so they often created self-destructive physical behaviors in a way to express these feelings.
In addition, many of Laing's patients hid their true feelings as a way to feel more safe and secure. Outwardly, they might converse and agree with the doctor, but inwardly, they viewed him as a machine or something else, so they would not get to close to him and allow him to understand what they felt inside. James also used this technique with his wife, who he often referred to as "it" in his communications with the doctor. As the doctor continues, he notes this is a common reaction by psychotics in relation to themselves and the fears of those around them. He writes, "To consume oneself by one's own love prevents the possibility of being consumed by another" (Laing 54). Thus, James, and many of the other patients, shut themselves off from others, turning away from love and understanding because they were afraid it would overtake them and turn them into something else.
In conclusion, Laing's breakthrough study shows some schizophrenics are eager to communicate, while others are not. They often use miscommunication as a way to make themselves feel safe and secure in a lonely and alienated world. Schizophrenics view the world differently than a "sane" person, and because of this, they communicate differently as well. Many feel as if they are living false lives and that no one can understand their needs and feelings. To remain safe, they remain in their own, lonely world, and guard their communications to make sure they never feel threatened or depersonalized by others.
References
Laing, R.D. The Divided Self: An Existential Study in Sanity and Madness. London: Tavistock Publications, 1960.
