Recovery and Personhood in the Diagnostic Formulation and Treatment of Serious Mental Illness: A Commentary. (May 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zalzala, Aieyat B.; Gagen, Emily C.; Lysaker, Paul H.
• Other Names: Kamens Sarah R. guest-editor.; Robbins Brent Dean guest-editor.; Flanagan Elizabeth H. guest-editor.
• Is Part Of: Journal of humanistic psychology. Volume 59:Number 3(2019)
• Page Start: 356
• Page End: 367
• Publication Date: 2019-05
• Subjects: schizophrenia -- humanistic psychology -- self -- psychosis -- metacognition -- recovery -- diagnosis -- psychotherapy; Humanistic psychology -- Periodicals; 150.192
• DOI: 10.1177/0022167818788758
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-1678

Abstract

The present article is a commentary on Pavlo and colleagues' alternative person centered and recovery oriented diagnostic framework. Three strengths of the framework are identified, including the incorporation of an individual's environment into the diagnostic formulation, an emphasis on individual strengths and the belief that they exist regardless of illness severity, and a resulting avoidance of stigmatization related to diagnostic labeling. Three potential areas of challenge and clarification are also identified, including how this approach is linked to outcome, how it is created through dialogue, and with what it is systematically concerned. Discussion of these challenges and suggestions for potential resolution are provided.