PDM Description
The Psychodynamic Diagnostic Manual (PDM) describes psychological mindedness as an individual's ability to observe his or her own internal life. The PDM details a four point sliding scale between high to low psychological mindedness, or 'healthy-to-impaired functioning'.
- Can reflect on (i.e. observe and experience at the same time) a full range of own and others' feelings or experiences (including subtle variations in feelings). Can reflect both in the present and with reference to a longer-term view of self, values, and goals. Can reflect on multiple relationships between feelings and experiences, across the full range of age-expected experiences in the context of new challenges.
- Can reflect on feelings or experiences of self and others both in the present and with reference to a longer-term view of a sense of self, values, and goals for some age-expected experiences, but not others. Cannot be reflective in this way when feelings are strong.
- Can reflect on moment-to-moment experiences, but not with reference to a longer-term sense of self and experiences, values, and goals.
- Unable to reflect genuinely on feelings or experiences, even in the present. Self-awareness consists often of polarized feeling states or simple basic feelings without an appreciation of subtle variations in feelings. Self-awareness is lacking, and there may be a tendency toward fragmentation.
Read more about this topic: Psychological Mindedness
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“To give an accurate description of what has never occurred is not merely the proper occupation of the historian, but the inalienable privilege of any man of parts and culture.”
—Oscar Wilde (1854–1900)