ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the many views of self and consciousness from a neuro-affective perspective that connects the neural level with brain maturation and the importance of interactions viewed within the framework of the hierarchical, triune brain. It focuses on the concepts of self and consciousness. The basic sensory structures and the sense of being and existence are located in the brainstem and form the basis of consciousness—the physiological foundation of personality. Personality consists of a combination of temperament and experience, especially experience related to habitual behaviour, psychological coping strategies, and notions about oneself and others. Personality disorders involve difficulty with self-regulation at the level of affects/emotions. Emotions play an important role for the process of consciousness. Forms of consciousness that represent at the brainstem and hypothalamus level develop so-called somatic consciousness, while the next mental level of organization is emotional consciousness.
