Psychodynamic Perspective on Psychotic Disorders and the Function of Art in Psychotherapy with Psychotic Patients

Abstract

Many models have been developed for understanding schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders. In this review, psychoanalytic theories that try to explain psychotic disorders will be mentioned, especially theoretical information about psychotic self development will be given. In this theoretical framework, the factors to be considered in psychotherapy with psychotic patients and the gains of using art in psychotherapy will be emphasized. It is very difficult to understand what is happening in the mind of the patient with an ilness that complicates adaptation to social life. The patient experiences alienation to the culture and has obstacles in making a place for himself in the social context. Working with art elements in treatment functions as a suitable environment for the evolution of pre-symbolic structures and relationships, creating an intermediate-space between concrete and symbolic functionality. Art elements carry the unconscious material to the preconscious. The third element (painting, clay, music, etc.) between the therapist and the patient helps to externalize thoughts and feelings that cannot be expressed otherwise. The fact that the environment of psychotherapy with art is not demanding can also make a positive contribution when working with psychotic patients. In this review, the process of psychotherapy with art will be discussed with case examples from art psychotherapy activities conducted with psychotic patients.

Keywords

• psychosis
• schizophrenia
• art
• psychotherapy