Attendance

The course introduces students to the fundamentals of psychiatry and psychopathology, providing an overview of the main mental disorders and the key concepts needed to understand psychological distress. It begins with a general introduction to the field and the importance of the clinical interview as a fundamental tool for understanding and building a relationship with the patient. Through examples and clinical cases, students learn to recognize the signs and symptoms that emerge within the context of professional communication and active listening. The course then explores the Control-Mastery Theory, a framework that helps to understand processes of change and adaptation within the therapeutic relationship. Attention is also given to defense mechanisms, viewed as automatic psychological strategies used by individuals to manage emotions and internal conflicts. A central part of the program focuses on personality disorders and trauma-related disorders, highlighting how early experiences and significant relationships shape psychological development. Further sections address major mental disorders, including psychotic spectrum disorders, mood disorders, and topics related to suicidology, with an emphasis on prevention and risk management. Finally, the course examines anxiety spectrum disorders, dissociative disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), emphasizing the connections between stress, trauma, and clinical manifestations. Overall, the course aims to provide students with conceptual and communication tools to recognize and understand different forms of psychological suffering, fostering an empathetic and integrated view of the person receiving care.

- Verrocchio, M. C. (2023). Manual of Clinical Psychology. Padua: Piccin-Nuova Libraria. ISBN 978-88-299-3360-0. - Gazzillo, F. (Ed.). The Control-Mastery Theory in Clinical Practice. Rome: Carocci. Edition: September 2023. ISBN 978-88-7466-957-8.