Insight into Illness: An Overview of the Concept Focusing on Schizophrenia

Abstract

Objective Insight into illness is key to successful treatment. Poor insight, especially in schizophrenia, is, however, quite a frequent phenomenon that is also associated with poor adherence to treatment and a variety of unfavorable outcome parameters. On that background, the concept of insight into illness has gained new research interest during the last 10 years. The present review aims to report new findings regarding conceptual changes of insight, findings on the etiology, contributing factors as well as the assessment and methods to develop insight. Methods Based on a review of the literature, results from more recent studies on insight into illness will be presented. Results Insight into illness is a complex, multidimensional, strongly culturally embedded phenomenon that is influenced by a variety of factors. The etiology of insight still remains poorly understood but is likely to be multifactorial including psychological, neuropsychological and organic reasons. Conclusions Further research is needed, in particularly regarding therapeutical techniques to improve insight into illness.