Accomplishments of the thought disordered person: A case study in psychiatrist–patient interaction

BackgroundThe research and clinical literature portrays the thought disordered person as incapable of meaningful social interaction. This model views thought disorder exclusively as a brain dysfunction, evidenced by dysfunctions in speech.AimsThe study seeks to address this deficit model by investigating the interactional accomplishments of thought disordered people in clinical interviews.MethodAn analysis of clinical interview data.ResultsWe investigate (1) what thought disordered people actually accomplish in interaction, and (2) how thought disordered people and their psychiatrists routinely communicate on matters consequential for treatment.ConclusionsThis paper introduces a new perspective on the interactional achievements of people with thought disorder. The skills required by both parties during routine clinical interviews have not previously been recognised or described.