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The phenomenological effects of Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) on patients’ self remains poorly understood and under described in the literature, despite growing evidence that a significant number of patients experience postoperative neuropsychiatric changes. To address this lack of phenomenological evidence, we conducted in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 17 patients with Parkinson’s disease who had undergone DBS. Exploring the subjective character specific to patients’ experience of being implanted gives empirical and conceptual understanding of the potential phenomenon of DBS-induced self-estrangement. Our study concluded that: 1) the more patients preoperatively felt alienated by their illness, the more they experienced postoperative self-estrangement; 2) the notion of self-estrangement seems to exist in association with certain common qualitative characters; namely loss of control which reflects a deteriorative estrangement, and distorted perception of capacities which reveals a restorative estrangement. These findings indicate that subjective self-reports help us to understand some aspects of the potential phenomenon of DBS-induced self-estrangement.

Item Type:	Refereed Article
Keywords:	Deep Brain Stimulation, Self, Neuroethics,
Research Division:	Philosophy and Religious Studies
Research Group:	Applied Ethics
Research Field:	Ethical Use of New Technology (e.g. Nanotechnology, Biotechnology)
Objective Division:	Cultural Understanding
Objective Group:	Religion and Ethics
Objective Field:	Bioethics
Author:	Gilbert, F (Dr Frederic Gilbert)
Author:	Goddard, E (Dr Eliza Goddard)
Author:	Viana, JNM (Mr Noel Viana)
ID Code:	113054
Year Published:	In Press
Funding Support:	Australian Research Council (DE150101390)
Deposited By:	Faculty Office Arts
Deposited On:	2016-12-09
Last Modified:	2016-12-09
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