Abstract
Aim of the studyThe main purpose of this paper was to present a model of psychological diagnosis, aimed at establishing the fundamental criteria for qualifying patients with symptoms of various mental disorders (including neurotic and personality disorders) for outpatient psychodynamic therapy.Subject or material and methodsRorschach Inkblot Test, clinical interviewResultsThe research was conducted in the years 2010-2013 in the Neurosis Treatment Centre and in the Mental Health Outpatient Clinic A study population comprised 38 males and 42 females.DiscussionThe structure of personality characteristics and their impact on a patient’s eligibility to participate in a particular type of psychotherapy was assessed based on the major assumptions of psychodynamic approach, with special focus on the criteria put forward by Gabbard; the Big Five personality dimensions; as well as on the diagnostic criteria for personality disorders, developed by the American Psychiatric Association.ConclusionsAnalysis of the result of this research allowed to develop a model of fundamental criteria for selecting an appropriate form of psychotherapy designed for patients with various types of personality disorders. Eight criteria were found to be significant in the process of qualifying the aforementioned individuals for outpatient psychotherapy. They included two psychological dimensions: intrapsychic (describing psychological indicators of the self-structure and maturity level of the patient's identity) and interpersonal (describing indicators of the person’s capacity for establishing emotional relations with others). Diagnosis of the aforementioned indicators proves to contribute significantly to the process of selecting effective therapeutic methods for neurotic patients as well as individuals who exhibit symptoms of more severe destabilization of personality organization.
Highlights
From the perspective of modern psychiatry, as well as clinical psychology, personality disorders belong to the pathological conditions which seem to be defined and described in many different ways [1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8]
Analysis of the data obtained as a result of this research allowed to develop a model of initial diagnosis applied in outpatient group or individual psychodynamic psychotherapy conducted in the Dąbrówka Neurosis and Eating Disorders Centre in Gliwice
The model of psychological diagnosis applied in the initial stage of the process of qualifying patients for psychotherapeutic treatment provided in the Mental Health Clinic and in the Neurosis Treatment Centre allows to establish fundamental, initial criteria which help to determine an appropriate model of psychotherapy for individuals exhibiting symptoms of personality disorders, and facilitate effective treatment of the aforementioned patients, who constitute a considerable proportion of contemporary society
Summary
From the perspective of modern psychiatry, as well as clinical psychology, personality disorders belong to the pathological conditions which seem to be defined and described in many different ways [1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8]. Within the field of contemporary psychiatry, personality disorders are classified based on two major international systems: ICD10 (International Classification of Mental and Behavioural Disorders) and DSM IV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) Both general and specific criteria sets used to identify various categories of personality disorders display numerous limitations. The vast majority of psychological theories explain the issues regarding various areas of psychopathology of personality (intrapsychic conflicts, defense mechanisms, traits, personality structure and other areas of inner experience); and outline diagnostic procedures. They rarely describe treatment programmes and their effectiveness [3, 7]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
