Meaning and Psychosis: An Intersubjective Approach to the Treatment of Schizophrenia

This paper is an exploration of the conceptualization and treatment of two men diagnosed with schizophrenia using intersubjective systems theory. This theory understands the development and expression of severe psychopathology as a way of protecting self-experience from annihilation. Treatment from this perspective focuses on the dynamic system within the therapeutic dyad as a lens through which to understand and give voice to experience, as well as make new meanings out of experience. In this paper, there is a brief exploration of current popular treatments of schizophrenia and their limitations. Intersubjective systems theory is then presented, with a focus on conceptualization of the psychoses and severe psychopathology. Finally, two case studies are used to highlight an intersubjective systems approach in the understanding and treatment of severe mental illness