The Collective Unconscious in the Age of Neuroscience: Severe Mental Illness and Jung in the 21st Century

The Collective Unconscious in the Age of Neuroscience brings the connection between C. G. Jung’s theory of a collective unconscious, neuroscience, and personal experiences of severe mental illness to life. Hallie B. Durchslag uses narrative analysis to examine four autobiographical accounts of mental illness, including her own, and illuminate the interplay between psychic material and human physiology that Jung intuited to exist. Durchslag’s unique study considers the links between expressions of the collective unconscious, such as myth, fairy tales, folk tales, and ‘big dreams’, and the experiences of those diagnosed with severe mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia and bipolar I disorder. The author’s personal narrative account of a psychotic episode is at its heart, bringing both an intimate foundation and exceptional insight to the book. With reference to neuroscientific and genetic research throughout, The Collective Unconscious in the Age of Neuroscience highlights gaps in depth psychological notions of etiology and treatment, highlights patterns of collective material in the qualitative experience of these genetic and biological disorders, and explores how the efficacy of pharmacological treatment sheds light on Jung’s theoretical model. The Collective Unconscious in the Age of Neuroscience will be essential reading for academics and students of Jungian and post-Jungian studies, consciousness, neuroscience and mental health. It will also provide unique insight for analytical psychologists interested in severe mental illness and the collective unconscious.

Table of Contents:
Chapter 1 Introduction Opening the Door Defining Severe Mental Illness Jung and Severe Mental Illness The collective unconscious. Archetypes. The challenge of inconsistencies. Research: Background and Methodology Initial research questions. Narrative analysis. Impressions and extrapolations. Structure the Book Moving Forward References Notes Chapter 2 Methodology Methodological Choices Methodology and Procedures Method as path. Narrative analysis. Narrative analysis and the hermeneutic tradition. Data Collection and the Path into the Work Initial review of the literature. Personal narrative. Other autobiographical accounts and the addition of personal field text. Second review of the literature. Data Analysis Researcher Reflexivity Bias. The wounded researcher. Ego defeat. The Embrace of Qualitative Research in the Natural Sciences Ethical Considerations A Hermeneutic Homage References Chapter 3 The Importance of Diagnostic Distinctions Overview Scientific Advances Divergent paths of research. Medical model. Depth psychology. The end of Jung’s legacy. Diagnostic Guides Jaspers. DSM. Recent trends: RDoC and PDM. Framing the Dilemma: Personal Onset Etiology Depth psychology. An example of complementarity. A Move into Collective Material Moving Forward References Notes Chapter 4 Thematic Alignment in Psychosis Stripping Down Terminology A brief mention on Jung’s position in the field. Anton Boisen. Perry. The hero. Supra-Individual Constellation The theory of actuality. Other reflections. Eschatological content. References Notes Chapter 5 The Personal Narrative of Psychosis The Naturally Occurring Variable Temporality Thematic Analysis Synopsis Thematic Analysis using Perry’s Categories. Cosmic conflict, national reform, and new society. Initiation to qualify for leadership. Apotheosis, national reform, and new society. Death. Aftermath The Challenge Moving Forward References Notes Chapter 6 The Brain and Pharmaceutical Actions The Difficult Dilemma of the Brain The Brain: Action over System Physiological focus. Structure. Pathways and Communication Overview. Dopamine. Serotonin. Norepinephrine. Glutamate. Y-aminobutyric acid. Monoamine neurotransmitter system. Example: Dopamine pathways. Therapeutic Targets in Antipsychotic Medications Pharmacological Action of Mood Stabilizers Electrical stimulation. Mood Stabilizers: Lithium and anticonvulsants. Moving Forward References Notes Chapter 7 Radiating Outward and the Collective Unconscious Continuing the Hermeneutic Circle Brain as Transformer Station Consideration of energy. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Lamictal. Time The objective psyche. Eranos 1951. Psychoid. The Non-synchronicity Synchronicity: Foreknowledge Jung’s visions of World War I. My own delusions. A Return to the Intrapsychic Dilemma The psychodynamic argument. A return to the collective. Subjective mud. References Notes Chapter 8 From the Transpersonal to the Suprapersonal: Individuation and the Unavoidable Dilemma The Problem of Spirit The Suprapersonal Naming. Narrative. Abaissement du Niveau Mental A spectrum of connection. Medication and 2003. Individuation. Medication and 2010. Flying without a safety net. A Different Challenge References Chapter 9 Reeling in the Net and Readying it to be Recast Review Psyche, Psychoid, and Science. Readying the Net Synchronicity and the implicit connection to individuation. Empirical contributions. Clinical challenges. References

About the Author :
Hallie Beth Durchslag, Ph.D., is a Jungian-oriented psychodynamic psychotherapist who has presented both in the United States and abroad on severe mental illnesses and their connection to Jung’s theory of a transpersonal collective unconscious. She is based in Ohio, USA, where she teaches, writes, and maintains a private practice.