Crisis of objectivity: using a personalized network model to understand maladaptive sensemaking in a patient with psychotic, affective, and obsessive-compulsive symptoms

This paper presents a case study of a 27-year-old man, Hernan, with schizoaffective disorder, obsessive-compulsive symptoms (OCS), and a history of adverse childhood experiences. Using a personalized network model (PNM) and qualitative phenomenological methods, the researchers identified "crisis of objectivity" as the core psychopathological theme. This refers to Hernan's persistent mistrust of information perceived as subjective. The study integrates phenomenological interviews, neuropsychological assessments, and language analysis to construct the PNM, revealing how this core theme relates to his symptoms and coping mechanisms. The findings are discussed within the framework of Research Domain Criteria (RDoC), highlighting potential dysfunctions in various domains.

Aleš Oblak, Matic Kuclar, Katja Horvat Golob, Alina Holnthaner, Urška Battelino, Borut Škodlar, Jurij Bon