Consciousness is determined by complex neurophysiological processes of an individual. To date, it is difficult to explain the causes of conscious awareness of the world. Disorders of consciousness manifest themselves in a wide variety of psychological disorders.
What is consciousness?
The role of consciousness is to make the environment conscious to the individual. It is not so easy to clarify what consciousness is at all and how it arises. That is why there is no single definition for consciousness. From a scientific point of view it is the totality of mental states of an individual, which are supported by complex neurophysiological processes. However, how these neurophysiological processes can lead to states of consciousness is controversial. So how can it be possible that nerve stimulus transmissions or brain activities trigger certain sensations or feelings? How and why can these mental states be attributed to specific neural processes? Physiological processes are subject to chemical and physical laws. So how do these processes get fine-tuned and why do they produce states that make the individual aware of his or her role in the environment? The mysteriousness of consciousness occupies both scientists and philosophers. Thus, various theories have been developed to date, but they cannot provide a definitive explanation. All attempts of explanation are only approximations until today. Consequently, there are also different views in the description of consciousness.
Function and task
The role of consciousness is to make the environment conscious for the individual. In this sense, life forms other than humans also possess consciousness, although presumably to a weaker degree. According to the scientific definition, mental states include all sensations, feelings, perceptions and cognitive abilities (i.e. thinking). In humans, consciousness has developed most strongly in the course of evolution. Especially the component thinking plays an important role. Development-historically the necessity seems to have existed with a species of the primates for their survival to act planning ahead. Probably the living conditions were so hard that alone instinct-driven acting would have led to the extinction of humans. At the same time, language developed to improve communication between individuals. On this basis, experiences made earlier could be passed on to subsequent generations. In recent years, cognitive abilities have also become known in some animal species. For example, monkeys, pigs, dolphins, elephants and various corvids have been found to be able to recognize themselves in a mirror. Some animal species also exhibit anticipatory behavior. Every animal has certain sensations such as pain, hunger, thirst or satiety. These sensations are a prerequisite for survival. However, when one can speak of consciousness here is controversial. The boundaries are fluid depending on the definition. If feelings such as fear or even sadness and joy already join the sensations, one can speak of beginning consciousness. From the animal world this is already well known to every dog owner, who observes the companion with wagging tail. Often individuals (including humans) act unconsciously according to instinct. Here, the behaviors are either innate or stored unconsciously in the brain. Consciousness also includes perception of the natural environment. In humans, perception includes sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch. The complex processes of consciousness serve humans to process these perceptions while developing strategies for action to their advantage.
Diseases and ailments
Diseases affecting consciousness include all kinds of psychological, mental, and spiritual disorders. These disorders significantly affect the way a person acts. As a result, personality disorders may develop that require intensive psychological or psychiatric treatment. In the case of drug and alcohol addiction as well as schizophrenia, psychoses often develop, which are associated with delusions and hallucinations. The affected person can no longer clearly identify with his or her “self.” Psychoses can also develop in the context of other illnesses such as dementia, severe trauma or comatose states.Severe diseases of the liver, kidneys or heart can also lead to psychoses under certain circumstances. A distinction is made between quantitative and qualitative disorders of consciousness. Quantitative disorders of consciousness are manifested by clouding of vigilance (wakefulness). This occurs over four stages. These range from simple drowsiness to somnolence (permanent sleepiness), sopor (sleep-like state) and coma. The causes of quantitative disorders of consciousness are manifold. These include an insufficient supply of oxygen to the brain in cardiovascular diseases, stroke, epilepsy, increased intracranial pressure, craniocerebral trauma, poisoning or inflammation of the nervous system, and hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia. Qualitative disorders of consciousness are referred to as clouding of consciousness, constriction of consciousness, and shifting of consciousness. Dullness of consciousness describes states of confusion in thought and action. These include such symptoms as disorientation, hallucinations, or anxiety. These states can occur in schizophrenia, dementia, drug, alcohol, and medication abuse, or metabolic disease. In loss of consciousness, the patient has diminished responsiveness. Often, this condition develops with traumatic brain injury, epilepsy, or brain inflammation. Shifts in consciousness are manifested by altered perceptual ability coupled with increased alertness. This is a typical condition of incipient mania, drug abuse, or even intense meditation. Causes of qualitative disorders of consciousness, in addition to alcohol and other drugs, include craniocerebral trauma, inflammatory diseases of the brain, poisoning, sleep deprivation, or metabolic problems. In the case of delinquent behavior, the criminal law pleads not guilty or diminished culpability if the offense is committed in a state of impaired consciousness.
