B. FORTI, E. AGUGLIA - Vol. 9, September 2003, Issue 3
Testo Bibliografia Summary Indice
Personalità e malattia: una prospettiva
unitaria
Personality and illness: a unitary perspective
In this paper, a unitary model of personality is proposed. The model refers to the innate bases of personality, named Primary Motivational Systems (PMS). PMS code biologically relevant purposes, which cannot be modified by learning. They are operative lifelong and affect learning, behavior, cognitive processes and conscious content. Their functional role may be identified in the direction of affected mental activity. PMS are intrinsically organized as a whole, and hierarchically super-ordinate to the systems involved in cognitive processes.
The model is analysed referring to evolutionary framework, trait theory, psychodynamic approach, and pathogenesis of psychiatric disorders. Illness is assumed to be subsequent to the pathological modification of a PMS. Consequently, the model can differentiate between personality development and disease process, and it provides a unitary explanation to the different manifestations of psychiatric disorders. Comorbidity may be frequently understood on the basis of the functional interdependence among systems involved. Some methodological implications are discussed.