An Experiential Approach to Psychopathology

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This book presents a clear method for exploring subjective psychopathological experiences, aiming to enhance the ability of psychiatry and clinical psychology to distinguish between seemingly similar mental symptoms and promote precise characterization of experiential phenotypes. It examines a variety of mental disorders, each illustrated by a distinguished clinician through a paradigmatic case study that immerses the reader in the patient’s lived experience. The focus is on the first-person perspective, analyzing the defining features of each psychopathological phenomenon and the meanings patients attach to their experiences, seeking to make sense of what may appear nonsensical. Each chapter also contextualizes the case study within relevant literature, providing a comprehensive view of the current understanding of the phenomenon. The proposed method represents a convergence of classic phenomenological concepts and contemporary clinical insights into patients’ experiences, emphasizing three key principles: the significance of subjective phenomena in mental disorders, the necessity of their qualitative study, and the rigor of phenomenology in capturing the essence of experiencing psychopathological phenomena. While the content is particularly relevant for expert clinical phenomenologists, it is accessible to trainees and young clinicians.