– Diverse psychological suffering is almost more common than uncommon. Previous clinical research has tended to focus on individual diagnoses when evaluating psychological treatment methods, which has left the question hanging of how people with multiple diagnoses can be helped in the best way, says Daniel Wallsten, new doctor in psychology.
In his thesis, Daniel Wallsten sheds light on the complex reality of psychological suffering that often spans several diagnostic areas, and questions aspects of the medical approach that includes the view of psychological suffering as disorders, as well as the methods that are often associated with medical research.
– I believe that the most important contribution of my research is the questioning of whether common psychological suffering, such as depression, anxiety, insomnia and stress, should actually be categorised as mental disorders, says Daniel Wallsten. It is not primarily about what is true – after all, we are the ones who have decided how psychological suffering should be categorised – but how it works based on which measures the explanations point towards. This way of understanding psychological suffering has not generated the best possible treatments, nor does the problems seem to be diminishing.
Based on three clinical trials
In his thesis, Daniel Wallsten presents three clinical trials where different psychological treatments were tested on patient groups with diverse psychological suffering, such as depression, anxiety and insomnia.
– All treatments have shown more or less promising results, in slightly different ways. At the same time, some participants have not been helped by the treatment and some have experienced their treatment as stressful. In addition to the actual question of how well these treatments work, I have also identified several dilemmas that clinical researchers face and proposed solutions, such as conducting less resource-intensive but more detailed trials with fewer participants where the process of change is clearly defined. Rather than involving hundreds of participants in trying to answer whether a treatment for a single diagnosis works well for an average person who does not even actually exist.
The thesis is primarily aimed at practitioners and researchers, but could also, in the long run, benefit the different groups included in the trials.
Support in the treatment process
– In all of the trials, questions arose that are mainly aimed at other clinical researchers, says Daniel Wallsten. At the same time, the findings create another piece of the empirical puzzle to create a better understanding of how best to help people with psychological suffering, which in the long run could be of interest to both therapists and the person who is suffering.
Daniel Wallsten turned to academia to study this field of research because he felt disillusioned in his work as a psychologist where he met with people who were suffering. His plan is to continue his research career at Karlstad University.
– I have an exciting research project that connects to the third clinical trial of my thesis where we use virtual reality for people to meet themselves. We’re hoping that this will have an impact on people’s negative automatic thoughts about themselves, such as the idea that, at the end of the day, you are not worth much.
Link to thesis:
