Thought alienation is a distinct type of mental experience where a person feels that their own thoughts are not truly their own or are not under their personal control.
Key Characteristics of Thought Alienation
According to descriptions in the field, thought alienation is characterized by the experience of one's thoughts being alien. This core feeling means that the thoughts seem foreign, external, or simply not belonging to the person experiencing them internally.
Specifically, this experience involves two primary components:
- Thoughts not emanating from one's own mind: The individual perceives that their thoughts originate from an external source, another person, or an outside influence, rather than being generated internally by themselves.
- Thoughts not being under voluntary control: The person experiences a profound sense of lacking agency over these thoughts. They feel unable to control, stop, or influence the content or presence of these "alien" thoughts, as if they are being imposed upon them.
This combination of perceived externality and lack of personal control is fundamental to understanding thought alienation and differentiates it from typical thinking processes. It represents a significant disturbance in a person's sense of ownership and autonomy over their mental life.
