The use of multidimensional assessment in developmental age: How evaluation of the emotional-autonomic state can facilitate the differential diagnosis in psychopathology. Description of two case studies

Abstract

BackgroundMental suffering involves cognitive, behavioral, and emotional aspects, which can manifest explicitly or remain implicit. The use of different clinical tools may allow the collection of information deriving from different channels. In the field of clinical psychopathology, there is scientific evidence regarding the use of psychophysiological parameters to identify emotional conditions characterized by hyperarousal or hypoarousal and thus favor the differential diagnosis.Participants and procedureOur work describes two case studies demonstrating that a multidimensional assessment can comprehensively help the differential diagnosis.ResultsThe first case concerns a child (9 years old) brought to an assessment for behavioral disorders. The psychological tests high-lighted irritability and mood alteration as prevalent concerning the behavioral manifestations (outbursts of anger, etc.). Additionally, a psychophysiological evaluation confirmed the depressive state characterized by a condition of psychophysical exhaustion. The second case concerns a girl (14 years old) diagnosed with major depressive disorder by a psychiatrist who treated her with psychotropic drugs. The antidepressants worsened her symptoms to the point of being the cause of suicidal attempts. The multidimensional evaluation documented the presence of hyperarousal at an emotional and autonomic level, a characteristic known in the literature to be a precursor of suicidal ideation.ConclusionsThese case studies represent clear examples of how only a multidimensional assessment can describe the entire suffering of the person and support their health through a personalized intervention.