Hyperreflexivity

“Hyperreflexivity” refers to an exaggerated tendency to focus on aspects of experience that are normally implicit or in the background, often leading to a sense of self-alienation or a heightened awareness of one’s own internal processes. 

Here’s a more detailed explanation:

• Definition:

  Hyperreflexivity is characterized by an overemphasis on self-awareness, where individuals become excessively focused on their own thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations, which would otherwise be taken for granted. 

• [Self-Alienation]:

  This heightened self-awareness can lead to a sense of detachment from oneself, as if the self is an object of observation rather than a natural, integrated part of experience. 

• [Mental Disorders]:

  Some theories propose that hyperreflexivity is a core feature of certain mental disorders, such as [schizophrenia], where it can manifest as a disruption of normal self-experience and a tendency to view oneself as an object of attention. 

• [Operative vs. Reflective Hyperreflexivity]:

  Some researchers distinguish between “operative hyperreflexivity,” where individuals become aware of normally implicit sensations or processes (like noticing the feeling of their feet on the ground), and “reflective hyperreflexivity,” which involves a more deliberate or intellectual focus on the self. 

• [Historical Context]:

  Some argue that hyperreflexivity is a phenomenon that emerged with the rise of the modern, self-conscious subject, and that mental disorders, as we understand them, are linked to this heightened self-awareness. 

• [Hyperreflexia] (Medical):

  It’s important to note that “hyperreflexia” (with an “a” at the end) is a different medical term that refers to hyperactive or repeating reflexes, often indicating damage to the nervous system.