Saravanan, B; Jacob, K. S.; Prince, M.; Bhugra, D.; David, A. S.
Abstract
Insight in psychosis is a complex and controversial phenomenon. A criticism of the concept is that it is Eurocentric and it fails to take into account cultural idioms. Lack of insight is often seen as a defense against the potentially devastating realization of a person’s illness. Lack of insight may be viewed as misattribution, a form of cognitive error based on lack of information, systematic biases, or idiosyncratic beliefs. Misattribution rests on the assumption that there is a correct attribution for symptoms and experiences with respect to some goal. Individuals’ perspectives, beliefs, and values should be taken into consideration when people assess something as complex as insight. This can provide the clinician and researcher with a greater understanding of different models of illness, help-seeking, and mental health service acceptability.
