[Interpersonal diagnosis of personality pathology: countertransference as a source of information]

One of the defining characteristics of personality pathology is an interpersonal style that is experienced as problematic by the patient and/or others. Patients typically have little awareness of the dysfunctional effects of their interpersonal style. This represents a significant source of psychological suffering for both the patient and their social environment. Systematically recording countertransference helps both patient and psychiatrist to clarify these dysfunctional effects.

To familiarize readers with the interpersonal paradigm that underlies the recording of countertransference.

Discussion of the interpersonal paradigm.

Interpersonal diagnostics and countertransference are closely intertwined.

Knowledge of the interpersonal paradigm offers the psychiatrist a valuable framework to interpret countertransference reactions.