What exactly is treated in mental health care?
The problem
We work within a DSM conception of mental suffering with “hyper-precise constructs” formulated from a bio-medical linear paradigm. Herein, mental suffering is understood as a set of symptoms in which an underlying disease entity is assumed that can be treated with a corresponding protocol. This frame of thinking does not match the human mind in its complexity, in its contextualized-ness and in its emergence. We think, look and act with a reductionist and essentialist model in mind that provides a closed methodology in research and practice. 90% of RCTs that guide healthcare practice are based on DSM definitions of mental suffering.
The alternative
The guiding question in my work is what is the ontology of psychological suffering? In other words, what is a mental disorder for something? I approach this question both theoretically-philosophically and empirically. In doing so, I use qualitative research. The beauty of qualitative research is that you can be very explorative. Things that seem to exist underwater and have not yet been given words can become visible with this research method. It is as much bottom-up and as little reductionist as possible.
Annemarie’s contribution
Through interviews, I question clinicians and people with experiential knowledge about what mental suffering is to them, the DSM, recovery and what makes treatment good. In doing so, I use Thematic Analysis [crosslink]. I am also investigating with Nienke van Sambeek [crosslink] whether narrative diagnostic methods can complement or enrich our diagnostic practice. In this study, we use Thematic Analysis [crosslink] and Narrative Analysis [crosslink].
Do you have questions or want to get ideas? Contact Annemarie Köhne on the following topics:
- Psychologische specialistische zorg (GZ-Psycholoog in opleiding tot specialist)
- Classificatiesystemen & diagnostische concepten
- Wetenschapsfilosofie
- Ontologie
- Thematische analyse