Search

Orphans of domestic crimes experience a complex condition as they are exposed to cumulative experiences of violence of which femicide is a tragic culmination. Although over the years there has been greatly increased attention at the scientific level on Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) attributed to gender inequalities in the social and cultural context, children unfortunately still receive little reference. The present paper aims to describe the psychological functioning of feminicide orphans from an evolutionary cognitive perspective focused on pre- peri- post crime traumatic experiences. In addition, both the current state of scientific debate on the interference of traumatic development in childhood on the processing of grief and psychosocial interventions, from an ecological perspective, and promising models of cognitive behavioral psychotherapy for the treatment of traumatic bereavement are presented. Also outlined is the multilevel and multifocal intervention plan implemented by the social-health network of the Apulia Region, which from the moment of the news of feminicide, is developed along different operational guidelines (Mobile Psychological First Aid-Psychosocial Interventions-Psychological Assessment- Psychotherapy) according to the Trauma Informed Care (TIC) perspective. Data from a longitudinal retrospective study, based on a qualitative methodology, aimed at investigating the main psychosocial factors that best characterize the target population of feminicide orphans will be exposed, and data collected on the quality of adaptations achieved in the short and medium term, through follow-ups at 6 months, 18 months and 30 months after the traumatic event, will also be presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Insomnia symptoms are common during peripartum and are considered a critical risk factor for postpartum psychopathology. Sleep is particularly vulnerable during pregnancy and postnatal period and its alterations are associated with risks for mental health. Nonetheless, often insomnia disorder during pregnancy doesn't receive appropriate clinical attention, with consequent lack of proper treatment offer. Evaluation and treatment of insomnia during the prenatal period should be a priority in the clinical practice and should consider the whole family context. Cognitive-behavioral treatment is recognized as first line intervention for insomnia disorder from international guidelines. Many authors highlighted that during pregnancy and during the first months of child's life psychotherapy seems to be more adequate and more favorably accepted from patients than pharmacological treatment. This is also linked with possible negative consequences associated to the assumption of drugs, both for the fetus and the newborn. The aim of this paper is to examine in depth, through a narrative review, the importance of a correct evaluation of the insomnia disorder during the prenatal period and the characteristics of cognitive-behavioral therapy.. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eating disorders are characterised by dysfunctional eating behaviours and deeply negative beliefs about their weight and body shape. The literature on eating symptomatology is extensive and detailed, but systematic research about how sleep is characterised in such patients is currently lacking. The results that have emerged so far are contradictory and therefore do not allow a clear understanding of this topic. This paper aims to understand the current state of the art and which aspects need to be further investigated in the future. The results highlighted an actual sleep impairment in patients, although not always consistent. The most pronounced impairment seems to be in anorexia nervosa, moreover, this disorder has proved to be the most investigated. On the contrary, very few studies have evaluated sleep in patients suffering from binge eating disorder, especially using physiological measures. Few studies have also investigated circadian preference, thus leaving several questions unanswered. Future studies will not only aim at investigating sleep and circadian preference more rigorously and systematically, but they should especially try to relate specific aspects of eating symptomatology to specific sleep parameters. One of the advantages of such an approach would be to support clinical practice through sleep-centred treatments that could indirectly act on the eating symptomatology itself. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research aimed to review the existing literature on instruments used to assess Misophonia, in order to identify future research priorities in the area. A systematic search was conducted using the following databases: PubMed, Medline, PsycINFO, Scopus, Cinahl, and Eric. Search terms refer to three main concepts: "Misophonia/Sound Sensitivity", "Assessment" and "Treatment". We limited our search to peer-reviewed papers, published in English from 2012. We selected papers where an instrument was used to assess Misophonia. After removing duplicates, 289 papers remained for screening. Titles and abstracts were screened against the inclusion and exclusion criteria. We identified 80 full-text articles to be assessed for eligibility. 63 papers were included in the review. In the present review, 21 instruments were identified, 10 of which psychometrically validated. They include 9 self-report measures and 1 semi-structured interview. We found just 1 validated questionnaire for children. Different instruments are based on different definitions of Misophonia and just a few measures investigate all the areas included in the most recent definition. Results confirm a significant variability in instruments used to assess Misophonia. We argue the need to improve assessment in both children and adults, validating existing measures in larger samples and different countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Misophonia is a condition of reduced tolerance to specific sounds or stimuli associated with those sounds, characterized by intense neurophysiological activation. General symptoms include heightened sensitivity to everyday noises such as coughing, sniffing, chewing and throat clearing, which results in a strong emotional reaction followed by avoidance behaviors, distancing, and, in some cases, aggressive responses. This is followed by emotions, as of anger, disgust, anxiety and depression (Swedo et al., 2022). Despite the growing interest in this phenomenon, there is currently no diagnostic classification. The purpose of this paper is to provide an updated overview of the literature regarding the definition and the etiology of misophonia, with particular emphasis on the symptomatology and psychological and behavioral correlates. Data in the literature were collected and analyzed according to the guidelines of the PRISMA method (Moher et al., 2009). The review was conducted through the main search engines on scientific papers published between 2010 and 2022, in English. Overall, a total of 40 articles were included. The research suggests that misophonia could be classified as a discrete psychological disorder, as symptoms present in a stable and consistent pattern, and patients report similar developmental pathways (Schroder et al., 2013; Jager et al., 2020). The patient's intensity reaction is determined not so much by the physical characteristics of the trigger sound, but rather by his or her psychological profile, context, and the cognitive interpretations the individual makes about the specific source of the sounds, which influence the intensity and uncontrollability of his or her reactions (Brout et al., 2018). A difficulty in emotion regulation and the presence of affective lability, exacerbates the severity of symptoms and may impair the individual's work, school and social functioning in the long run (Guetta et al., 2022). The etiology of misophonia can be traced back to both hereditary factors and environmental causes, e.g., associative learning mechanisms. Moreover, misophonia is thought to be related to high levels of connectedness between the auditory, autonomic and limbic systems and that, in particular, it would be AIC (Anterior Insular Cortex) that plays an important role (Edelstein et al., 2013). It would be desirable to expand the research to have more clarity on the phenomenon and possible treatments useful in reducing the discomfort and improving the quality of life of the subjects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic and related restrictive measures have had a significant impact on the mental health of the entire population, especially children and adolescents. It seems appropriate to make a distinction between stressful events, which most families have experienced, and real traumatic experiences, which only the most vulnerable individuals have been victims of. In fact, the most recent data (WHO, 2020) show a significant increase in the rates of intra-family violence against women and minors around the world, during the period of the lockdown. The aim of this paper is to illustrate the spectrum of symptoms that the experience of a complex trauma determines on children and adolescents, and at the same time to indicate the possible strategies to facilitate the early detection of distress indicators and implement the necessary interventions in emergency contexts in an integrated and multilevel perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to provide an overview of the most relevant contributions regarding the application of so-called third generation interventions of cognitive behavioral therapy, such as mindfulness and ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy), in the context of therapy for autism spectrum disorders. In particular, our attention is focused on the application of these interventions aimed at caregivers of individuals with autism spectrum disorder who have not reached the mature age. To this end, a search was conducted on the contributions published between 2005 and 2020 through the main search engines: it led to a final number of 8 revised articles. At present, the scarce availability of reliable results does not allow to arrive at a structured, valid and reliable model of intervention; nevertheless, having ascertained the potential benefit that emerged from the few studies conducted, it is possible to deduce that the line of research undertaken may create a protocol of proven effectiveness for the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Practice Parameter Paper (Morgenthaler et al. 2006) and the Clinical Guideline (Schutte-Rodin et al. 2008) defi ne cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT-I) as the standard treatment of choice for insomnia. The stimulus control technique (Bootzin 1972) and sleep restriction therapy (Spielman, et al. 1987) represent two of the essential components of CBT-I. The former consists of a series of rules having the purpose of reinforcing the association between bed and the act of falling asleep, eliminating some of those activities that can interfere with sleep at the moment of going to bed. The latter aims at restricting the time a patient spends in bed, augmenting, through a state of light sleep deprivation, the “sleep drive” (the push that the patient feels towards falling asleep), regulating and at the same time resynchronising sleep-wake rhythm. This paper intends to guide the reader to the correct application of these two behavioural techniques, illustrating the rationale behind them, providing instructions and examples of implementation and discussing the main obstacles and resistances that we might encounter while treating an insomniac patient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the last years, the dimensional classification of Personality Disorders and the development of manualized treatments have contributed to a new conceptualization of these disorders. Therefore, it is necessary to implement of evidence-based clinical treatments and good practices, through the application of international guidelines for the treatment of personality disorders. The aim of this paper is to analyse the main guidelines from recent literature regarding the treatment of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD), to identify which are the recommended treatments with greater efficacy. For this reason, two of the most authoritative contributes to international guidelines were examined: National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and the American Psychiatric Association (APA). Furthermore, given the need to provide updated scientific evidence, in addition to the guidelines, recent reviews and meta-analyses on the treatment of disorders in question were considered. In the last part of this work, the attention was placed on the current diagnostic classification of personality disorders, which aims at the functioning and personality traits rather than the nosographic diagnosis only, with a specific focus on Borderline Disorder and Antisocial Personality Disorder. In conclusion, literature seems to suggest the clinician a greater attention to the dimensional aspect of personality disorders within the psychotherapeutic intervention because it allows the use of specific traits and domains for setting up a more targeted intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present paper is to conduct a narrative review and meta-synthesis of existing studies on the constructs of oddity and schizotypy from an evolutionary point of view. Schizotypy may represent either a spectrum or a taxon comprising different phenomena from odd and imaginative normal experiences to psychotic states or conditions, where oddity impedes an adaptive development of the person. From an evolutionary perspective, different theoretical hypotheses explore the phylogenetic role of psychoses by alternatively considering them as an evolutionary residual or correlate. On the other hand, many studies seem to support the pathogenic role of traumatic developments from an ontogenetic viewpoint. By reviewing existing literature, the paper is aimed at describing an evolutionary model of oddity and schizotypy and assuming that these two constructs may represent a transdiagnostic dimension recurring across different psychopathological conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a clinical case of an inpatient women, in treatment at the intensive short residential unity for Personality Disorders of Villa Margherita. We pay attention to the comprehension of her mental functioning, that has been supported by Gianni Liotti's constant supervision. This paper represents what he left us in terms of comprehension of complex and different clinical syndromes that can be explained with different DSM5 disorders. The Motivational Systems and traumatic development experiences are the theory that we used to give meaning to the complex clinical experience of the client. We will explain our work with Diana, this is the name given to the patient, will be illustrated as integration of tools coming from DBT model, Motivational Systems model, and coordinated work with outpatient and inpatient therapists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present work is the second of a corpus of two papers, aimed at proposing an original and more structured translation of the Standard Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) model of the Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), in the framework proposed by Mancini, into the language of Schema Therapy, in terms of Mode work. In the first of the two works, we illustrated OCD dynamics, the process of functioning of OCD and we suggested a proposal for the therapeutic rationale for the Mode work, characterizing the obsessive experience. In this work, a clinical example will be proposed also through a graphic representation of the translation of the CBT model of OCD into the Schema Therapy language. The main techniques of of CBT, adapted by the authors to the Schema Therapy framework will be presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Compulsions are often the central complaint of people with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and yet we know surprisingly little about them. One reason for this neglect is that they are viewed as products 1 Questo lavoro è stato presentato al Rome Workshop on Experimental Psychopathology III, organizzato dalla Scuola di Psicoterapia Cognitiva - SPC (Roma, 26-27 Maggio 2017). 2 Tr. it. a cura di Roberta Trincas, PhD, Psicoterapeuta Cognitivo Comportamentale, docente presso Scuola di Psicoterapia Cognitiva - SPC, Viale Castro Pretorio 116, 00195, Roma. of distress over obsessional concerns; once that distress extinguishes compulsions become obsolete. We are, however, slowly starting to learn more about the complexity of compulsive behaviour and factors in its persistence. This paper reviews developments in our understanding of compulsions, synthesizes work from several different perspectives, and presents a descriptive model for the insidious cycle of compulsions. Major conclusions are that: a) repetition of checking behaviour is definitely clearly associated with a decline in memory, cognitive, and sensory confidence, as is staring; b) the need for perfect certainty may be the key factor that transforms a routine behaviour into a compulsion, resulting in behavioural parsing, increased tax on working memory, and use of (elusive) feeling-based criteria as a guide for stopping; c) what we are learning about compulsions can be directly applied to standard cognitive-behavioural approaches to treatment; and, d) we still have much to learn about compulsions, particularly covert and ordering/arranging compulsions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper describes the Gianni Liotti's scientifi c work starting from the impact of the Attachment Theory of John Bowlby to the development of an original model of human motivation that is associated to evolutionary epistemology for the study of mental disease. About Gianni Liotti's contribution, the scientifi c and clinical value is highlighted as well as the cultural openness comprising social and existential aspects of human suffering. Finally the educational impact of Liotti's commitment and work on cognitive context is illustrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interpretive analysis is founded on a preliminary understanding of the social interaction between therapist and patient. The stronger and more accurate the preliminary understanding, the more reliable the interpretation will be. In this paper Conversation Analysis is a preliminary step for examining a metacognitive insight by a patient with a Dissociative Disorder during a session in an individual systemic therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper Giovanni Liotti's contribution to the study of attachment disorganization and its implications for the development of dissociative disorders is reviewed. His model of dissociation based on attachment theory and research is illustrated starting from the fi rst observations on the phenotypic similarities between child disorganized behaviors and expressions of adult dissociation, the study of the controlling strategies and of multiple, disaggregated internal working models, until the last neurophysiological studies on dissociative processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes the cognitive-behavioural approach in the evaluation and treatment of childhood insomnia, considering in the current International Classifi cation of Sleep Disorders (ICSD-3). Sleep disorders must be placed in the framework of psychophysical conditions and child family context. The Cognitive-Behavioural Treatment (CBT) for insomnia in childhood is adapted considering the child age and stage of development. In the treatment of infants and young children, it is necessary to evaluate parent possible distress and psychological resources combined with their believes/emotions regarding infancy sleep. This allows to set up an effective parent training for the behavioural changes involved in CBT for childhood insomnia. Principles and strategies of CBT component are described and schematically reported in the paper. A clinical case is also reported to provide an effective implementation example. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper describes a pilot study testing the efficacy of a group intervention protocol directed to patients with anorexia nervosa, integrating behavioral-cognitive technics with behavioral technics of mirror exposure and the experiential approach of the acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). The treatment was conducted at the Center of Eating Disorders of the public health service of the city of Trento with the general aim to support patients in developing a better relationship with their body. The intervention protocol comprised three phases: the aim of the first phase was to help patients in becoming aware of their cognitivebehavioral functioning; the second phase provided patients with a corrective emotional experience by the means of the ACT experiential approach and in vivo mirror exposure, in order to reduce bodychecking behaviors and avoidance implied in the maintenance of the disturbance. Lastly, the aim of third phase, in accordance with the ACT framework, was to help patients in choosing values of personal importance and take committed action in the direction of those values, and move beyond their disturbance. The patients filled two questionnaires twice, before and after the intervention in order to assess its efficacy in reducing dysfunctional features associated with the disturbance. The results support the efficacy of the intervention and encourage the utility to integrate the cognitive intervention with an experiential component aimed to increase the confidence with one's own emotionality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present paper provides a general overview on the main instruments used in the clinical assessment of insomnia. Firstly, we present some nosographic features of insomnia based on the DSM-5 criteria and on the 3P aethiopatogenetic model (Predisposing, Precipitating, and Perpetuating factors), which guide the clinical assessment of the disorder. Subsequently, we describe the assessment methods, which allow the clinician to formulate a preliminary hypothesis about the disorder through questionnaires (e.g. QDS, ISI, PSQI), clinical interview, and sleep diary. For further monitoring and assessment of sleep pattern, two objective methods are briefl y described: actigraphy and polysomnography. Furthermore, we present some questionnaires focused on individual cognitive and behavioural characteristics which can be related with the perpetuation of insomnia. Finally we summarize a diagnostic process in which the clinician relies on a comprehensive analysis of all the data collected, returns a diagnosis to the patient, and proposes a treatment for the insomnia disorder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present review illustrates how some psychopathological conditions are associated with increased variability of the behavioral responses. Particularly, psychopathological and neurological populations such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder ADHD, traumatic brain injury TBI, neurodegenerative pathologies, present a significant increase of the intra-subject reaction times variability (ISV- RTs), which are collected during the execution of sustained attention tasks. Conversely, the average RTs values are generally equal to those of the control group. Therefore, if we consider only the performance average value, as in the experimental practice, the risk would be not appreciating any difference between clinical and non-clinical populations. Increased ISV has been assumed to be a biomarker of underlying pathology (MacDonald et al. 2006), shows a genetic substrate, and is associated with modification of the dopaminergic system, of the frontal lobes physiology and of the midline cortical structures. The oscillation frequency of ISV and lapses in attention mirrors the activation frequency of the default mode network (a cortical circuit which is active at rest) and its intrusion into task oriented activity. The midline cortical structures of the DMN are the neural substrate of introspective thinking (Northoff e Bermpohl, 2004) and their hyper-activation and intrusion during task oriented activity is linked with abnormal introspective thinking and ruminative state. The most relevant papers on this issue and some implications for the psychopathological models are discussed in this review. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antisocial Personality Disorder (DAP) and Psychopatic Personality Disorder or Psychopathy (DPP) have long been considered as synonimous, so that DSM-IV-TR (2000) included only DAP while no reference about DPP was comprised. The present paper considers research works on neurobiological, emotional, cognitive, and behavioural characteristics of Psycopathy, corroborating the clinical validity and usefulness of this disorder. The empirical evidence of DPP is the basis for the proposal by Personality Disorders Work Group on DSM-V to consider and discriminate these different disorders as two subtypes of unique disorder (Antisocial/Psychopathic Personality Disorder), included in wide revision model of DP. This "alternative model" was refused at the end of DSM-V elaboration and was included in the III Section of manual dedicated to "emergent model". [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present paper reviewed the different contributions on maladaptive perfectionism and development or maintenance of depressive symptomatology. Particularly, the first part of the article deals with theoretical aspects, measures and models of the development of perfectionism. While, the second part is devoted to the recent literature that has investigated the relationship between maladaptive perfectionism and depressive symptoms, starting from the main cognitive theories of depression, the role of certain dimensions of perfectionism as a predisposing factor for depressive cognitions and the involvement of specific variables as potential mediators of the relationship between maladaptive perfectionism and depression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reviewed the different contributions on parental psychopathology and parenting skills, analyzing, particularly, how the presence of a maternal diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) may influence the perception of self, of the son and of the parent-infant interaction. Clinical findings suggest that these mothers confront with intense stress the challenges of parenting, showing poorly responsive to the needs of their children, exposed to significant risks of developing. However, researches has dealt specifically investigate the relationship between parents and children with BPD and structuring therapeutic actions is poor, especially when they are compared with the amount of data regarding possible actions in case of other parental psychopathological diagnosis. Considering the knowledge of the functioning of these patients, is presented a proposal for a treatment aimed at promoting parental behaviours independent of emotional instability, more sensitive to the experiences and needs of their children, supporting a parent-child relationship more predictable and consistent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This paper has two distinct aims. The first aim is to describe boredom as an antecedent of some behavioral patterns through a clinical comparison of 4 subjects, 2 with Recurrent Major Depression (RMD) and 2 with Bipolar Disorder (BD). The second aim is to investigate any correlations between boredom proneness and mood disorders in 32 euthimic outpatients with RMD or BD. Method: As for the first aim, observations were conducted based on reconstruction of ABC and reports processed by patients. As for the second aim, 32 outpatients were evaluated with the SCID-I and SCID-II for principal diagnosis. Affective symptoms were assessed using the MRS, the HDRS and the MOODS-SR lifetime version. Boredom proneness was evaluated using the SIN scale, which gives a total score and two partial scores: Internal Stimulation (IS) and External Stimulation (ES). Results: As for the first aim, one common finding among the four patients was that boredom arises when the goal the subject is pursuing, rather than goals in general, is represented but temporarily inactive. Boredom is followed by attempts to get out of this unpleasant emotional state. These attempts are implemented automatically, without a cognitive processing. The inner state appears to be well discriminated from other emotions (sadness, anger). BD patients showed greater behavioral dysfunction and individual and social impairment than RMD patients. BD patients seemed to be more susceptible to feel boredom and to show disorganized, impulsive, chaotic behaviors, while RMD subjects seemed rather to point toward their inner state and to have greater control over behavioral outcomes of boredom. As for the second aim, we found that: 1) BD patients are more prone to boredom (p = ,037) and show higher SE mean scores than RMD patients (p = ,022); 2) in the overall sample, IS subscale score is negatively correlated with both "manic mood" (rho = -,44, p < ,05) and "manic cognition" (rho = -,47, p < ,01) domains of MOODS-SR, suggesting that the higher is the manic component (mood, cognition), the lower is the patient's deficit of creating sufficient stimulation for himself. Moreover, "depressive mood" domain is positively and significantly correlated with SE subscale (rho = ,38, p < ,05); 3) among RMD patients, there are no significant correlation between MOODS-SR domains and SIN scale; 4) among BD patients, SIN total score is positively and significantly correlated with ritmicity domain of the MOODS-SR (rho = ,52, p < ,001) and IS subscale score is negatively correlated with both " manic mood" rho = -,55, p < ,05) and "manic cognition" (rho = -,46, p < ,05); 5) there is no correlation between duration of mood disorder and boredom proneness. Boredom seems to be a basic affective tone, rather than a state-specific dimension of BD. Conclusions: Two operational conclusion can be drawn from this study. First, a different boredom proneness might contribute to differentiate unipolar and bipolar depressive episodes. In other words, a trait-specific rather than a state-specific liability to boredom seems to be a feature of BD. Secondly, our findings highlight the need for a greater recognition of boredom and are propelling for the development of new psychotherapeutic treatment addressing this dimension in patients with mood disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present paper is to describe the theoretical assumptions and the main techniques of Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT), a new psychotherapeutic approach developed in the context of the "third wave" of cognitive behavioural therapies. Compassion Focused Therapy proposes a model of the therapeutic change based on the cognitive and emotional changes connected to the activation of the attachment and care-giving motivational systems. According to this approach, therapeutic change is not achievable only through the direct restructuring of the so called "dysfunctional beliefs". In particular, techniques aimed at facilitating psychological acceptance will be described and analyzed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we present some clinical sketch to validate an hypothesis about how typical interpersonal schema activate in borderline personalities and their consequences in the therapeutic alliance. We focus on the therapist's primary need to define a specific therapeutic setting to protect it from the activation of "drama triangle" which undermine the possibility of starting and maintaining the course of therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes the impasses occurring in the treatment of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, being the special object of our analysis the patient's representations. In particular we shall try to answer the following questions: how does the obsessive-compulsive patient evaluate the psychological help provided by the psychotherapist? Which are the peculiar evaluations that hinder or even nullify this kind of help? We shall answer starting from one of the most substantiated thesis in the field of clinical cognitivism, the one according to which the obsessive symptomatology can be traced back to evaluations due to an hypertrophic sense of responsibility (Arntz et al. 2007; Ladouceur et al. 1997; Lopatka & Rachman 1995; Mancini et al. 2004; Salkovskis 1985, 1989; Salkovskis & Forrester 2002; Shafran 1997) and more specifically to a fear of moral guilt (Basile e Mancini 2011; Gangemi et al. 2007; Mancini 2005; Mancini & Gangemi 2004; Mancini et al. 2008; Rachman 1993; Shafran et al. 1996; Shapiro & Stewart 2011). We shall maintain, consistently with the above-mentioned thesis and on the basis of the clinical observation, that it is possible to explain most of the resistances to change and of the relational deadlocks as effects of evaluations amenable to those very same psychological structures implied in the genesis of the obsessive symptomatology (Saliani & Mancini 2010) and we shall provide, through clinical examples and excerpts of self-dialogue reported by patients, a thorough description of these kind of evaluations occurring in the various phases of treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we describe the dysfunctional interpersonal schemata connected to two distinct but interrelated problems: dysfunctional dependency and lack of agentivity. These problems are not included in DSM and the recent scientific literature on narcissistic personality disorder does not sistematically analyze them. In our study we present some fragments of psychotherapy sessions with two patient meeting the criteria for narcissistic personality disorder, and we analyze their interpersonal schemata through the CCRT, which emphasize some structural elements of these schemata: a Wish, a Self-Representation, a Representation of Other's Responses to the Wish, and a Representation of the Self's Response to the Other's responses. On the basis of our analysis we describe the role played by the therapist in the patient's schemata, namely what could be the representation of the other embodied by the therapist, and the possible anti-therapeutic actions that the therapist can make as a consequence, most of all in the initial phase of the therapy. Finally, we offer some indications about the inner discipline and interventions the therapist should operate in order to create the conditions for more adaptive schemata in the patient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Through the description of six clinical cases the theme of therapeutic relationship with depressed patients will be discussed. Too often depressed patient are labeled as such, regardless to their complex personal and existential condition. This paper will tentatively describe obstacles and possible relational implications in the treatment of "depressed patients", that will be categorized into 4 groups: unipolar and bipolar depression; depression due to other Axis I disorder; depression in comorbidity with personality disorders; depression that occurs along with particular life events or condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arousal and emotional disregulation is a common and often serious problem in complex trauma patients: it can be considered as one of the most significant signs of traumatization. The somatic roots of arousal disregulation need specific clinical interventions which go beyond the exclusive use of words. These inventions are based on ideas which differ from those coming from the traditional "talking therapies". In this paper I will focus on two main topics: the first one, Stephen Porges' Polyvagal theory, is more anatomically and psychologically oriented; the second one, Pat Ogden's Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, is more oriented to clinical work. Both of them represent convincing and useful approaches that deal with the arousal disregulation and the "somantic traces" of the procedurally-stored traumatic memories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reviews theoretical, clinical and research studies on the apperance, in a subgroup of obsessive compulsive disorders (OCD), of symptoms related to the disruption of the usually integrated functions of consciousness, memory, identity and perception (pathological dissociation). The coexistence of dissociative and obsessive-compulsive symptoms is a relatively frequent clinical occurrence, that seems to be responsible for unsatisfactory response to the cognitive-behavorial therapy (CBT) of OCD. The aim of the review is to clarify the different types of dissociative symptoms and processes that may appear in OCD, their relation to absorption in compulsive responses, and the role played by traumatic expreriences in the association between dissociative and obsessive-compulsive symptoms. Such a clarification is a necessary premise to the implementation of modified types of CBT interventions able to yield satisfactory outcomes in cases of OCD complicated by dissociative symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]