The Psychodynamic Psychiatrist and Psychiatric Care in the Era of COVID-19

Authors

Douglas H. Ingram, Clinical Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, New York Medical College.
Kimberly Best, Psychiatry Residency Training Director and Associate Chair, Department of Psychiatry, Einstein Medical Center Philadelphia.

Author Type(s)

Faculty

DOI

10.1521/pdps.2022.50.2.412

Journal Title

Psychodynamic Psychiatry

First Page

412

Last Page

434

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-2022

Department

Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences

Abstract

Near the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, on April 13, 2020, about 50 members of the American Academy of Psychodynamic Psychiatry and Psychoanalysis convened through Zoom to talk about the impact of the pandemic on their practices, their patients, and themselves.∗ They offer their reflections through oral and written comments. Participants were encouraged to organize their contributions around the dimensions of administrative psychiatry, the structure of clinical care, the content of clinical care, the patients' reported personal experiences, and the psychiatrists' reported personal experiences. Themes identified and discussed are paradoxical separateness, seeking an optimal interpersonal distance, finding new idioms, reality and symbolism, and loss, mourning, and isolation. The views are noted to touch on only one point early in the arc of the pandemic. A significant body of personal commentary provides an understanding of the roots of themes likely to evolve as the pandemic progresses.

Recommended Citation

Ingram, D. H., & Best, K. (2022). The Psychodynamic Psychiatrist and Psychiatric Care in the Era of COVID-19. Psychodynamic Psychiatry, 50 (2), 412-434. https://doi.org/10.1521/pdps.2022.50.2.412