The pentimento of the psyche: Revealing the masterpiece beneath the clinical overwrite.
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| Title: | The pentimento of the psyche: Revealing the masterpiece beneath the clinical overwrite. |
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| Source: | Australasian Psychiatry. Jun2026, Vol. 34 Issue 3, p304-306. 3p. |
| Subjects: | Psychiatric diagnosis, Self, Musical composition, Transcultural medical care, Indigenous peoples, Patient-centered care, Political refugees |
| Abstract: | This article explores the limitations of psychiatric diagnosis as a reductive "clinical overwrite" that can obscure the full humanity and personal history of patients. Using the metaphor of pentimento—an earlier image showing beneath layers of paint—the author illustrates how psychiatric labels often mask the complex identities and narratives beneath symptoms, as exemplified by a patient whose musical past revealed a deeper self beyond his diagnosis. The piece emphasizes the importance of culturally sensitive, recovery-oriented care that respects patients’ backgrounds, particularly for Indigenous peoples and asylum seekers, and advocates for a collaborative, empathetic approach akin to art restoration. It calls for clinicians to move beyond diagnostic shorthand to engage with patients’ stories and support their individual goals within a system often constrained by time and resources. [Extracted from the article] |
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| Database: | Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection |
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| Abstract: | This article explores the limitations of psychiatric diagnosis as a reductive "clinical overwrite" that can obscure the full humanity and personal history of patients. Using the metaphor of pentimento—an earlier image showing beneath layers of paint—the author illustrates how psychiatric labels often mask the complex identities and narratives beneath symptoms, as exemplified by a patient whose musical past revealed a deeper self beyond his diagnosis. The piece emphasizes the importance of culturally sensitive, recovery-oriented care that respects patients’ backgrounds, particularly for Indigenous peoples and asylum seekers, and advocates for a collaborative, empathetic approach akin to art restoration. It calls for clinicians to move beyond diagnostic shorthand to engage with patients’ stories and support their individual goals within a system often constrained by time and resources. [Extracted from the article] |
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| ISSN: | 10398562 |
| DOI: | 10.1177/10398562261444533b |
