Theoretical levels in psychiatry

Abstract

Søndergaard HP. Theoretical levels in psychiatry.

In clinical psychiatry, different schools currently co-exist. The main branches could he roughly differentiated as the biologic, social psychiatric, and psychodynamic schools. These paradigms tend to disavow or neglect each other. The present essay argues for an integrative approach in clinical psychiatry. Such an approach is often termed eclectic, implying an atheoretic stance. On the contrary, the present paper discusses a theoretic framework for such an integrative approach, with some examples of problems met with in everyday clinical practice.

Key Words:

• Epistemology
• Frame of reference
• Integration
• Psychiatry
• Treatment