![]() ![]() In fact, a prominent psychological theory proposes that heightened self-focused attention is a common feature across several mental illnesses ( Ingram, 1990). However, maladaptive levels of self-reflection, such as ruminative, self-critical thought in depression, can have detrimental consequences for health and well-being. Self-reflection can also contribute to emotion regulation ( Leary, 2003), self-awareness ( Duval & Wicklund, 1972), and self-insight ( Beck, Baruch, Balter, Steer, & Warman, 2004)-processes that are essential for successful psychotherapy outcomes ( Mansell, 2011). Interpersonally, self-reflection can help us to perceive social cues ( Eisenberger & Lieberman, 2004 Lombardo et al., 2010) and generate social emotions (e.g., guilt) ( Beer, Heerey, Keltner, Scabini, & Knight, 2003 Tracy & Robins, 2004), which can promote prosocial behavior and enhance relationships ( Baumeister, Stillwell, & Heatherton, 1994 Keltner, 1995). The ability to self-reflect-to turn our attention inward to consider our own thoughts, memories, feelings, and actions-is a fundamental aspect of human cognition. In this article, we review relevant literature, identify outstanding questions, and propose an agenda of research that would support the use of neuropsychological measures of self-reflection combined with neuroimaging to serve as model for establishing a neuro-psycho-pathophysiological basis for mental healthcare. Self-reflection is an example of a particular domain of psychological dysfunction that (1) is routinely disrupted in psychiatric illness and cuts across traditional diagnostic categories, (2) is measurable with self-report scales and performance-based tests and (3) can be dimensionally linked to activity within a particular neural circuit. Performance on these measures has been associated with the integrity of specific neural systems (e.g., the link between declarative memory and the medial temporal lobe), and these brain-behavior links are guiding translational research in memory disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease.Īlthough significant advances have been made in our understanding of the neural correlates of affective and social functions, this has not yet translated into an analogous battery of well-validated performance-based clinical measures. Similar batteries of performance-based psychometric tests have been developed to probe aspects of language, perception and executive function. For example, in the domain of memory, there are standardized performance-based tests that probe the integrity of specific competencies (e.g., verbal vs. For certain cognitive functions, extensive neuropsychological batteries of performance-based tests have long been established. Neuropsychology offers a promising approach in this regard. ![]() ![]() Thus, a key step toward developing a new system of diagnosis and treatment in psychiatry is to identify specific and objectively measurable domains of psychological or behavioral dysfunction that are related to particular aspects of brain structure and/or function. In psychiatric disorders, the pathophysiology is rooted in the brain. For example, in the field of cardiology, objective measurements of physiological parameters (e.g., pulse, blood pressure, cholesterol levels, EKG) are standard, and the prescribed interventions (e.g., dietary changes, exercise programs, drug regiments, surgical procedures) are tailored to address specific aspects of the underlying pathophysiology. By contrast, other medical specialties routinely use biological and physiological assays to inform diagnosis and treatment. At present, psychiatric patient assessments are primarily based on clinical observation of overt behavior and patient self-report, without corresponding evaluation of underlying biological mechanisms of dysfunction. A major goal in psychiatric medicine is to develop a system of diagnosis and treatment that is pathophysiologically-based ( Insel et al., 2010). ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |