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The clinical application of the stress concept

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 June 2014

F. Koerselman
F. Koerselman*
Affiliation:
University Medical Center, Department of Psychiatry, Utrecht, the Netherlands
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Abstract

Background:

Knowledge on fundamental aspects of the influence of ‘stress’ on animal and human organisms is accumulating. In clinical situations, however, psychiatrists still do not use apropriate instruments to recognize and handle the impact of daily life stress. DSM-IV is insufficient in this respect.

Objective:

A different approach is sketched for clinicians to be able to integrate knowledge from research more effectively.

Method:

Application of a ‘broad’ biological view may reveal the significance of interpretation, emotion, impulse and reaction as stages of a ‘mental tract’, which is involved in processing the input of stressful situations.

Result:

This may lead to a more rational ‘targeting’ of pharmacological and psychotherapeutic strategies in clinical practice.

Conclusion:

A re-orientation of clinical psychiatry from mere classification towards a ‘broad’ biological approach may pave the way for a more rational and purposeful application of research findings to therapy.

Keywords

biologyclinical psychiatryDSM-IVemotionimpulseinterpretationrational therapysignificancestress
Type
Original Article
Information
Acta Neuropsychiatrica , Volume 14 , Issue 4 , August 2002 , pp. 192 - 195
Copyright
Copyright © Blackwell Munksgaard 2002

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