Psychopathology Understanding

Understanding psychopathology is an important direction in modern psychiatry. It is a method of studying mental disorders that is based on a psychological understanding of the relationships between various pathological manifestations. This approach was developed by German psychiatrist K. Jaspers in the 1930s and remains one of the most effective methods for diagnosing and treating mental illness.

The term "psychopathology" was first introduced by the Swiss psychiatrist Jean Amyedou. He used the term to describe the physical symptoms of mental disorders. However, once Freudianism (with its emphasis on the unconscious) entered psychoanalysis, the concept of “psychopathy” became illogical and awkward. Instead, Freud advanced the idea that many of the physical symptoms of mental disorders may have a strong psychological connection that transcends physical anatomy. Freudianism focused on this psychological connection. The concept was soon applied to psychiatry in general.

Relatively speaking, people with such disorders easily come up with and internalize many explanatory “theories”, so the problem with people is that they cannot understand their nature. This often happens because their tendency to behave is not based on reality, but on virtual ideas about our world. People with this type of mental illness need to first stop deceiving themselves and turn to professionals to start treatment. In the process of therapeutic work, they must learn to understand and accept their mental illness and be able to give an account of their ideas. It is also important to teach a person to understand the causes of his mental illness within the framework of the patient's mental illness with a reduction in criticism.



Psychopathology of understanding is a direction in Western psychiatry that deals with identifying socially understandable, psychological connections between symptomatic manifestations of pathology. It arose at the beginning of the 20th century as a direction in psychiatry as an independent discipline. The term was coined by German psychiatrist Karl Jaspersen in 1923. The psychopathological method of understanding plays an important role in clinical practice, helping the doctor understand the patient's behavior, emotions and motives.

Understanding psychopathology is also a theoretical basis for making predictions and planning treatment. It is based on viewing pathological phenomena from the point of view of a normal person, which makes it possible to find a coherent cause for symptomatic manifestations. Psychopathological understanding is especially significant in the diagnosis and treatment of mental pathology, such as neuroses, depressive disorders, aggression and other mental illnesses.

The basis for the application of psychopathological understanding is objective observation, patient interviews and psychodiagnostics. Descriptions of the results of the studies obtained are included in the format of protocols that are drawn up when working with patients. An assessment that involves careful consideration of the characteristic symptoms of mental disorders. Based on the information received, the psychiatrist selects the most appropriate method of treatment and prevention of diseases.

Despite the many advantages of this approach, it has some limitations. Professional psychiatrists (therapists), as well as psychologists, must be aware of certain aspects of this understanding. For example, it must be taken into account that some signs or symptoms may not belong to certain diseases,