One diagnosis—different conflicts: Using the OPD-CA conflict axis as tool for treatment planning

Abstract OPD-CA has set itself the goal of collecting important information that goes beyond diagnosis and are helpful for the indication of therapy and the planning of the therapeutic process. The focus of this article is the Conflict axis of the OPD-CA. Using the example of two patients who have the same diagnosis, F93, it is demonstrated that the same symptoms can be based on very different psychodynamic conflicts. These should be dealt with in therapy so that the development-hindering function of intrapsychic conflicts is eliminated. In addition, it makes sense to use other axes of the OPD-CA, such as Prerequisites for treatment, which gives information about the motivation of the patient and his or her resources, and the axis Structure, which examines the structural requirements for long-term psychodynamic therapy. This is also discussed in the two cases and some information on how to proceed in therapy is given. This concerns also additional work with the parents of the patients.