In 1990, Terri Schiavo suffered a cardiac arrest, potentially triggered by a bulimic episode, which resulted in prolonged oxygen deprivation to her brain. Medical evaluations, including brain scans, revealed no cerebral cortex activity and severe, permanent cerebral atrophy. As a result, she was diagnosed as being in a vegetative state, unable to move, speak, or respond, and required a feeding tube for life support with no prospect of recovery.

Case Study of Terri Schiavo: Medical Condition

A persistent vegetative state is a medical condition of profound brain damage in which an individual is completely unconscious, unable to speak, move, or respond to external stimuli, yet maintains basic automatic bodily functions such as breathing.

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An altered state of consciousness is any mental state that deviates from a normal waking state. While everyone regularly experiences sleep as a natural altered state, other states can be induced through various means, such as the use of drugs and other substances. Common examples also include daydreaming, hypnosis, and meditation.

Altered States of Consciousness

Spielman, R. M., Jenkins, W. J., & Lovett, M. D. (2020, April 22). Psychology (2nd ed.). OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/psychology-2e/pages/1-introduction

OpenStax Psychology (2nd ed.) Textbook

Hypnosis is a self-focused state in which suggestions are used to shape a person's behavior or experience.

Hypnosis

Meditation includes different techniques, but its shared central feature is clearing the mind to reach a state of relaxed awareness and focus.

Meditation

* Daydreaming
* Intoxication
* Substance use
* Unconsciousness due to anesthesia

Altered States of Awareness Examples

Compare and contrast an altered state of consciousness that occurs naturally as part of a daily cycle with one that is intentionally induced through a specific practice or the use of a substance. In your response, analyze the key differences in how these states are entered, their typical duration, and their effects on an individual's awareness of their internal thoughts and external surroundings.

Comparing Altered States of Consciousness

A person is going through their daily routine. Which of the following scenarios provides the clearest example of that person experiencing an altered state of consciousness?

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