ABSTRACT
In this chapter, we derive an understanding of mental problems and disorders from the ordinary language concepts of states and traits. More specifically, we show that mental problems are components of emotional states, that these problem-comprising emotional states are multiple and cluster in syndromes, that mental problems and the states they belong to are enduring and repetitive, and – based on the notion that goals and beliefs are clusters of dispositions – that the syndromes of problem-comprising states are characterized by basic beliefs and goals. Next, we show that cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) models are consistent with the developed perspective. These models refine the diagnostic descriptions of problem-comprising states and syndromes and specify changeable relationships between the state components and between the states. Then, the mechanisms of change of problem-comprising states are determined. The developed structure of psychopathology is easily translated to a dynamic system language, giving access to theories and methodologies from the system approaches. Finally, three of these approaches are discussed: use of differential calculus to formulate, simulate, and test clinical models; use of ecological momentary assessment (EMA) to derive the internal structure of states and syndromes; and use of EMA to detect early warning signals for critical transitions.
