Advanced Training

Major depression is examined through its diagnostic features and symptom profile, followed by an analysis of the biological underpinnings, cognitive processes, emotional dynamics, psychodynamic aspects, and interpersonal patterns involved. Persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia) is then explored in terms of its diagnostic and symptomatic presentation, along with its biological basis, cognitive and emotional characteristics, underlying psychodynamic mechanisms, interpersonal dimensions, and psychotherapeutic approaches. Premenstrual dysphoric disorder is addressed through its clinical presentation and diagnostic criteria, as well as the biological factors, cognitive and emotional components, psychodynamic influences, interpersonal aspects, and psychotherapeutic interventions relevant to this condition.

Generalised anxiety is examined in terms of its diagnostic features and symptom profile, followed by an analysis of the biological mechanisms involved, as well as cognitive, emotional, psychodynamic, and interpersonal dimensions, leading to psychotherapeutic approaches for its treatment. Specific phobias are then considered from the perspective of clinical presentation and diagnosis, alongside their biological, cognitive, emotional, and psychodynamic components, and corresponding therapeutic interventions. Social anxiety, or social phobia, is explored through its symptomatology and diagnostic criteria, together with the biological, cognitive, emotional, psychodynamic, and interpersonal processes that shape it, and the psychotherapeutic methods used in treatment. Panic disorder is addressed through its clinical characteristics, underlying biological factors, and associated cognitive, emotional, psychodynamic, and relational aspects, followed by relevant psychotherapeutic strategies. Finally, agoraphobia is presented through its diagnostic and symptomatic profile, its biological basis, and the cognitive, emotional, psychodynamic, and interpersonal elements involved, together with therapeutic approaches.

Pica is explored through its diagnostic characteristics and symptom profile, followed by consideration of the biological mechanisms involved, along with cognitive, emotional, psychodynamic, and interpersonal dimensions, and corresponding psychotherapeutic approaches. Rumination disorder is addressed through its clinical presentation and diagnosis, together with the psychotherapeutic interventions relevant to this condition. Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder is examined in terms of its diagnostic and symptomatic features, as well as the biological factors, cognitive and emotional processes, psychodynamic aspects, interpersonal influences, and therapeutic approaches associated with it. Anorexia nervosa is presented through its clinical picture and diagnostic criteria, alongside its biological underpinnings and the cognitive, emotional, psychodynamic, and relational components that shape the disorder, followed by psychotherapeutic strategies. Bulimia nervosa is discussed from the perspective of diagnosis and symptomatology, including biological factors and the cognitive, emotional, psychodynamic, and interpersonal processes involved, together with relevant psychotherapeutic interventions. Finally, binge eating disorder is considered through its clinical presentation, underlying biological aspects, and associated cognitive, emotional, psychodynamic, and relational dynamics, as well as the psychotherapeutic approaches used in treatment.

Schizotypal personality disorder is explored through its diagnostic features and clinical presentation, followed by an examination of the biological factors involved, as well as cognitive, emotional, psychodynamic, and interpersonal dimensions, together with psychotherapeutic approaches. Delusional disorder is addressed in terms of its symptomatology and diagnosis, alongside its biological underpinnings, cognitive and emotional processes, psychodynamic aspects, and relevant psychotherapeutic interventions. Brief psychotic disorder, schizophreniform disorder, schizoaffective disorder, and catatonia are considered within the spectrum of psychotic conditions, each characterised by specific clinical features and courses. Schizophrenia is then examined through its diagnostic profile and symptom structure, in relation to biological mechanisms and the cognitive, emotional, psychodynamic, and interpersonal processes involved, followed by psychotherapeutic perspectives and interventions.

Personality disorders are introduced as a broader clinical category, followed by an overview of psychotherapeutic approaches to their treatment. Paranoid personality disorder is discussed through its diagnostic features and clinical presentation, together with relevant psychotherapeutic strategies. Schizoid personality disorder is addressed in terms of its symptom profile and therapeutic considerations, as is antisocial personality disorder, examined through its diagnostic characteristics and psychotherapeutic interventions. Borderline personality disorder is explored through its clinical picture and the psychotherapeutic approaches typically employed. Histrionic personality disorder is considered in relation to its presentation and therapeutic work, followed by narcissistic personality disorder, examined through its defining features and corresponding psychotherapeutic perspectives. Avoidant personality disorder is presented through its symptomatology and treatment approaches, alongside dependent personality disorder, discussed in terms of its clinical characteristics and psychotherapeutic management. Finally, obsessive-compulsive personality disorder is explored through its diagnostic profile and therapeutic interventions.

Normal sleep is first presented as a reference framework for understanding sleep functioning. Insomnia is then examined through its diagnostic features and clinical presentation, followed by psychotherapeutic approaches to its treatment. Sleep bruxism is addressed in terms of its symptom profile and diagnostic aspects, together with available treatment methods. Finally, dreams and their interpretation are explored in relation to the sleep process, as well as through methods of dream analysis and interpretative work.

Substance-related disorders are explored through their diagnostic characteristics and symptom profiles, followed by an examination of the biological mechanisms involved, as well as the cognitive, emotional, psychodynamic, and interpersonal dimensions that contribute to their development and maintenance, together with psychotherapeutic approaches. Particular attention is given to the use of alcohol, amphetamines, cannabis, cocaine, hallucinogens, inhalants, opiates, and nicotine, each considered within the broader context of substance-related difficulties. Pathological gambling is then addressed as a behavioural addiction, discussed through its clinical presentation and diagnostic features, alongside biological factors and the cognitive, emotional, psychodynamic, and interpersonal processes involved, followed by relevant psychotherapeutic interventions.

Somatic symptom disorder is examined through its diagnostic characteristics and clinical presentation, followed by an exploration of the biological factors involved, as well as the cognitive, emotional, and interpersonal processes that shape the condition, together with psychotherapeutic approaches. Illness anxiety disorder is then addressed through its symptom profile and diagnosis, alongside relevant therapeutic interventions. Conversion disorder (functional neurological symptom disorder) is discussed in terms of its clinical features and diagnostic aspects, followed by psychotherapeutic treatment perspectives. Psychological factors affecting medical conditions are considered through their clinical manifestations, including dermatological conditions exacerbated by psychological influences, fatigue, irritable bowel syndrome, Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, and psycho-oncology, highlighting the interaction between psychological processes and physical illness. Finally, factitious disorder (Munchausen syndrome) is explored through its diagnostic profile and symptomatology, together with psychotherapeutic approaches.

Sexual dysfunctions are introduced as a broader clinical field, followed by specific conditions examined through their diagnostic features and clinical presentation, together with the psychological and relational processes involved and relevant psychotherapeutic approaches. Delayed ejaculation is discussed in relation to its biological, cognitive, emotional, and psychodynamic dimensions, along with therapeutic interventions. Erectile dysfunction is explored through its symptom profile, cognitive and emotional aspects, psychodynamic and interpersonal influences, and corresponding psychotherapy. Premature ejaculation is considered through its clinical characteristics and treatment perspectives. Female orgasmic disorder is examined through its biological, cognitive, emotional, psychodynamic, and interpersonal components, followed by psychotherapeutic work. Female sexual interest/arousal disorder is addressed through its clinical presentation and the biological, cognitive, emotional, psychodynamic, and relational factors that contribute to it, together with therapeutic approaches. Genito-pelvic pain/penetration disorder is discussed in terms of diagnosis and psychotherapeutic treatment. Sexual addiction is presented through its symptomatology and therapeutic perspectives. Finally, paraphilic disorders are explored through their clinical features, biological and cognitive aspects, psychodynamic understanding, and psychotherapeutic interventions.

Trauma- and stressor-related disorders are introduced as a distinct clinical domain. Post-traumatic stress disorder is explored through its diagnostic features and clinical presentation, followed by an examination of the biological mechanisms involved, as well as cognitive, emotional, psychodynamic, and interpersonal dimensions, together with psychotherapeutic approaches. Acute stress disorder and adjustment disorder are also addressed within this spectrum of trauma- and stress-related conditions.

Dissociative disorders are then considered from a psychotherapeutic perspective. Dissociative identity disorder is examined through its symptomatology and diagnostic profile, alongside biological, cognitive, emotional, and psychodynamic aspects, followed by therapeutic interventions. Dissociative amnesia is discussed in terms of its clinical presentation and treatment approaches. Depersonalisation/derealisation disorder is addressed through its diagnostic characteristics and corresponding psychotherapeutic work.