Incoherent Self-Organization:

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Incoherent self-organization is the failure of our brain or mind to integrate our disparate experiences, memories, and emotions into a consistent, logical, or continuous sense of self. Instead of forming a stable, functional self-structure (dynamic interaction of our beliefs, perceptions, self-assessments, and our adjustment to a changing environment), the incoherent system produces contradictory or bizarre patterns lacking a unifying narrative. Incoherent self-organization is a fundamental feature of borderline and narcissistic personality disorders — the inability to form a stable, integrated sense of identity leading to feelings of emptiness, unreality, fragmentation. Negative attributes:

  • Failure of a cohesive narrative in a logical and consistent way. The failure to form a meaningful whole results in fragmentation. 
  • Discord between cognitive and emotional/bodily experiences: Causing cognitive dissonance and psychological discomfort—we’re motivated to reduce the dissonance. Studies show incoherence can interfere with cognitive performance.
  • Ineffective adaptation: We’re unable to adapt to change, shifting priorities and perspectives—this failure leads to psychological instability.
  • Differentiation from disorganized thinking: Some psychopathologies involve disorganized thinking even when language is coherent, while other conditions may involve both. 
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