Paradigm failure in functional psychosis: review and implications

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychiatry
• Psychopathology

Background:

• Neuroscience advancements have raised hopes for understanding psychosis mechanisms.
• Progress is hampered by reliance on outdated diagnostic concepts (e.g., schizophrenia, manic-depressive illness).
• These traditional categories assume rigid links between biology, symptoms, and outcomes, which may be inaccurate.

Purpose of the Study:

• To critique existing nosological paradigms in psychosis.
• To propose an alternative model that better reflects the fluidity of psychotic disorders.
• To improve research strategies and clinical care by reducing diagnostic iatrogenesis.

Main Methods:

• Review of principal nosological paradigms in psychiatry.
• Analysis of the limitations of the neo-Kraepelinian paradigm.
• Proposal of the
• loose linkage model
• as an alternative framework.

Main Results:

• The psychopathology of psychosis is more fluid than traditional models acknowledge.
• The dominant neo-Kraepelinian paradigm's assumptions are questioned.
• The proposed loose linkage model offers a more accurate representation of psychotic disorders.

Conclusions:

• Outdated diagnostic concepts impede neuroscience research in psychosis.
• The loose linkage model provides a more flexible and accurate framework.
• This new model can guide research strategy and improve clinical care by minimizing diagnostic harm.