A new perspective on mental disorders and clinical profiling – the network approach to psychopathology

Abstract

The network approach to psychopathology has gained substantial popularity in the past decade as the number of articles are growing exponentially. It provides an alternative answer to a central question of psychopathology, which is as follows: why do symptoms of a mental disorder have strong correlation with each other but weak correlation with other symptoms? The traditional answer is based on Western medicine, which first focused on categorical, then on dimensional approach, assuming a common cause in both cases. On the contrary, network theorists of psychopathology conceptualize mental disorders as networks of symptoms within which there are direct causal relationships. The symptoms are active ingredients of the disorders, they all have their unique and irreplaceable position in the network. One symptom can activate another ultimately creating a feedback loop (insomnia - fatigue - concentration problems - anxiety - insomnia). The network approach studies mental disorders in a novel way, which reflects how practical experts (and ordinary people) often see them. The aim of the current study is to discuss the past, present and future of the new approach and the network theory of mental disorders. Psychiatry and clinical psychology are problem-oriented practical disciplines; therefore, I will discuss practical implications as well. Some limitations and challenges of the approach will also be discussed. The different methods of network analysis can be implemented in the field of profiling as novel, offering promising ways of predicting offender characteristics.