THE CONCEPT TOPICAL CONFLICT IN THE OPD

The conflict model is of fundamental importance for psychoanalytically oriented approaches and supplementally significant for cognitive-beha viorally oriented approaches. The Operationalized Psychodynamic Diagno stic (OPD) distinguishes 7 time continuous unconscious conflicts (for example ''dependence versus autonomy''; ''subjugation versus control'' etc.). These time continuous dysfunctional conflicts are characterize d by biographically related repetitive behavior patterns and establish ed patterns of experience in association with a relatively stable ego structure. The OPD further designates the concept of a topical conflic t for patients who have reached adulthood labeled ''conflictive extern al burden.'' Similar to the continuous conflicts, the topical conflict also places the patient in a partially unconscious psychodynamically oriented conflict he is unable to resolve. Topical conflicts can be in duced either through acute-traumatic or primary-intrapsychic conflicts brought on by external events or developmental or aging-related proce sses throughout the life course. Primary symptoms can be expressed eit her actively or passively. Topical conflicts must be discriminated fro m consciously experienced but principally solvable internal or externa l related conflicts and from post-traumatic stress dirorders (as defin ed by DSM-III-R). The primary pathological characteristic of the topic al conflict is that it is subjectively or objectively unsolvable; in r elation, the level of awareness as a regulatory factor is qualitativel y diminished. In the Current study, a clinically based algorithm is pr esented comparing the differential therapy indications of psychoneurot ic and topical conflicts. The goal of topical conflict psychotherapy i s to bring the underlying conflict constellation responsible for sympt oms to consciousness or the development of solutions possible within t he reality of the situation. If an evaluation of the differential diag noses within the therapeutic process does not produce recognizable rep etitive patterns of conflict, therapy can be directed towards these pa thological patterns with patient consent. The concept of topical confl ict broadens the current perspective on psychodynamic conflicts and ai ds in the differentiation of necessary therapy indications for the sec ond half of adult life.