Psychopathology and Phenomenology: Psychiatric Historism or Increasing Relevance in the Era of Neuroscience?

Abstract

Psychopathology is a central tool for psychiatry, in clinical practice as well as in research. And phenomenological psychopathology is an important theoretical and methodological approach. However, both terms may carry very different and even contradictory meanings. In this lecture I shall trace the historical roots of both concepts and argue for their significance beyond the historical dimension. Especially regarding the necessity to link neuroscientific data with the clinical level, i.e. with the individual patient, psychopathology in general and phenomenological aspects in particular are likely to gain influence in the future. This will be discussed in detail and exemplified by recent publications.