From a Symptom-Based to a Person-Centered Approach in Treating Depressive Disorders in Adolescence: A Clinical Case Formulation Using the Psychodynamic Diagnostic Manual (PDM-2)’s Framework

Annalisa Tanzilli, Guido Giovanardi, Eleonora Patriarca, Vittorio Lingiardi and Riccardo Williams
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Annalisa Tanzilli: Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, and Health Studies, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, “Sapienza” University of Rome, Via degli Apuli 1, 00185 Rome, Italy
Guido Giovanardi: Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, and Health Studies, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, “Sapienza” University of Rome, Via degli Apuli 1, 00185 Rome, Italy
Eleonora Patriarca: Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, and Health Studies, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, “Sapienza” University of Rome, Via degli Apuli 1, 00185 Rome, Italy
Vittorio Lingiardi: Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, and Health Studies, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, “Sapienza” University of Rome, Via degli Apuli 1, 00185 Rome, Italy
Riccardo Williams: Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, and Health Studies, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, “Sapienza” University of Rome, Via degli Apuli 1, 00185 Rome, Italy

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 19, 1-19

Abstract: Background: Depressive disorders in adolescence are among the most challenging clinical syndromes to diagnostically identify and treat in psychotherapy. The Psychodynamic Diagnostic Manual, Second Edition (PDM-2) proposes an integration between nomothetic knowledge and an idiographic understanding of adolescent patients suffering from depression to promote a person-centered approach. This single-case study was aimed at describing and discussing the clinical value of an accurate diagnostic assessment within the PDM-2 framework. Method: Albert, a 16-year-old adolescent with a DSM-5 diagnosis of major depressive disorder, was assessed using instruments from various perspectives: the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5; the Psychodynamic Chart-Adolescent of the PDM-2, and other clinician-report instruments; and the Shedler–Westen Assessment Procedure for Adolescents and Defense Mechanisms Rating Scale Q-sort, coded by external observers. Results: Albert’s assessment revealed impairments in various mental capacities, especially in regulating self-esteem. He presented a borderline personality organization at a high level and an emerging narcissistic personality syndrome. Conclusions: The case discussion showed the importance of providing clinically meaningful assessments to plan for effective treatments in youth populations. Especially, it is necessary to understand the adolescent’s unique characteristics in terms of mental and personality functioning and consider the developmental trajectories and adaptation processes that characterize this specific developmental period.

Keywords: diagnosis; assessment; single case study; depressive disorders; PDC-A (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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