Citation

Brown K. Br. J. Psychother. 2017; 33(3): 365-387.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/bjp.12306

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This paper examines how attachment theory has informed understanding of psychosis and has the potential to improve practice working with those who have accrued a diagnosis of psychosis. The treatment of psychosis is placed in its historical context, and commentary is made about the current treatments of those with psychosis and possible future developments. A psychoanalytic perspective is explored, and concern about the apparent colonization of the social and psychological by the biological expressed. Differing understanding and explanations of psychotic symptoms are explored and the predominance of biological explanations of the aetiology of psychosis is questioned. A brief description of attachment theory is given, before concluding how attachment theory informs understanding of psychosis and the implications for treatment.

Keywords

Attachment Theory; Dissociation; Psychiatry; Psychosis; Schizophrenia; Trauma