Swiss Archives of Neurology, Psychiatry and Psychotherapy

10 pages, 214 KB

Open AccessReview

Beyond Standard Diagnoses: Biosemiotics, Symbol Theory, and the Subjective Lifeworld in Neurology, Psychiatry, and Psychotherapy

by Jürgen Kriz

Swiss Arch. Neurol. Psychiatry Psychother. 2026, 176(1), 5; https://doi.org/10.3390/sanpp176010005 - 18 Jun 2026

Viewed by 747

Abstract

Standard diagnostic categories (International Classification of Diseases (ICD) and Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)) were developed as a pragmatic compromise between competing theoretical schools in psychiatry and psychotherapy. Focused on recognizable patterns of symptoms, they produce reliable descriptions and facilitate clinical communication, research, and reimbursement. Such a focus, however, necessarily falls short of the etiological complexity of bodily, personal, interpersonal, and cultural processes that shape human suffering. This article argues that beneath the diversity of approaches seeking to address this gap, a fundamental complementarity emerges—one constitutive of human existence itself: the complementarity between two irreducible ways of being in the world. The first is the organismic–biological dimension, elaborated in Jakob von Uexküll’s biosemiotics: sign-governed, evolutionarily pre-formed processes of meaning-attribution that operate prior to and independent of language. The second is the symbolic–cultural dimension, developed in Ernst Cassirer’s philosophy of symbolic forms: the embedding of human beings in socially created, intersubjectively shared symbol systems through which the world is seen and understood. Although both approaches were published nearly a century ago, this article is not primarily a historical contribution. Rather, it argues that psychopathology and therapy can be understood more fully—and clinical practice enriched—when both dimensions are taken into account as genuinely complementary perspectives. Full article

13 pages, 469 KB

Open AccessSystematic Review

Psychosocial Health and Survivor Identity of Breast Cancer Survivors in Africa: A Systematic Scoping Review

by Muambangu Jean Paul Milambo and Antoni Barnard

Swiss Arch. Neurol. Psychiatry Psychother. 2026, 176(1), 4; https://doi.org/10.3390/sanpp176010004 - 11 Jun 2026

Viewed by 591

Abstract

Background: Breast cancer survivorship extends beyond physical recovery to include psychological and social adjustment, particularly how women construct and perceive their identity as survivors. While survivor identity has been widely studied in high-income countries, there is limited evidence from African contexts. This review synthesizes existing literature on breast cancer survivor identity in Africa, with a focus on patterns of self-perception, associated psychosocial factors, and implications for survivorship care. Methods: A systematic search was conducted across PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, African Index Medicus, and grey literature for studies published between 2010 and 2026. Eligible studies reported primary data on survivorship and survivor identity among African women with Breast Cancer. Two reviewers independently screened studies, extracted data, and assessed methodological quality using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT). Confidence in qualitative findings was evaluated using the CERQual approach. Results: Of 32 records identified, seven studies met the inclusion criteria, representing Nigeria, Ethiopia, Botswana, and South Africa. Most studies employed qualitative methodologies, including grounded theory, phenomenology, interviews, and focus groups, with two incorporating quantitative or mixed methods. Key psychosocial domains included self-identity, coping strategies, social support, quality of life, and body image. Three overarching survivor identity patterns were identified: (1) Embracing/Constructive, characterized by acceptance of the survivor identity and its integration into personal growth and empowerment; (2) Ambiguous/Fluctuating, reflecting uncertainty and shifting between patient and survivor identities; and (3) Non-salient/Resisting, where the survivor identity was rejected or deemed irrelevant. Methodological appraisal indicated generally high study quality, with strong credibility and confirmability, though transferability was moderate. CERQual assessments indicated high confidence in findings related to embracing identity, moderate-to-high confidence for ambiguous identity, and moderate confidence for resisting identity. Conclusions: Breast cancer survivor identity among African women is diverse and shaped by cultural, psychosocial, and healthcare contexts. Constructive identity formation is associated with empowerment and personal growth, whereas ambiguous or resistant identities suggest ongoing psychosocial challenges. Interventions should incorporate psychosocial support, peer engagement, and culturally responsive survivorship programs to promote positive identity development. Future research should prioritize rural populations and longitudinal designs to better understand identity trajectories over time. Strengthening survivorship care in Africa requires a holistic approach that addresses both psychological and physical dimensions to enhance overall quality of life. Full article

► Show Figures

Figure 1

10 pages, 259 KB

Open AccessEssay

The Centrality of Hope in Psychiatry and Psychotherapy

by Andreas M. Krafft

Swiss Arch. Neurol. Psychiatry Psychother. 2026, 176(1), 3; https://doi.org/10.3390/sanpp176010003 - 8 Jun 2026

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 563

Abstract

In this essay, hope is presented as a key driver of psychiatric and psychotherapy outcomes, helping clients move beyond symptom relief toward meaning, resilience, and flourishing. The text integrates goal-based models with relational, narrative, and cultural dimensions. Drawing on the “standard account,” the author proposes that hope is the interplay of wishing for a valued good, believing its attainment is possible (though difficult), and trusting internal and external resources, including the therapeutic alliance. A vignette of Susanne, a young woman with partial dissociative identity disorder, illustrates how psychoeducation and small wins increase belief, while a consistent therapeutic alliance builds trust that extends to self-trust and cooperation. Clinicians play a central role as “hope carriers,” shaping realistic goals, reinforcing progress, and avoiding false hope. Full article

2 pages, 155 KB

Open AccessEditorial

Editor-in-Chief’s Editorial: A Shared Vision for Integration and Clinical Relevance

by Paul G. Unschuld

Swiss Arch. Neurol. Psychiatry Psychother. 2026, 176(1), 2; https://doi.org/10.3390/sanpp176010002 - 3 Jun 2026

Viewed by 529

Abstract

It is both an honor and a great responsibility to assume the role of Editor-in-Chief of the Swiss Archives of Neurology, Psychiatry and Psychotherapy (SANPP) [...] Full article

2 pages, 171 KB

Open AccessEditorial

Publisher’s Note: A New Chapter for Swiss Archives of Neurology, Psychiatry and Psychotherapy

by Carla Aloè

Swiss Arch. Neurol. Psychiatry Psychother. 2026, 176(1), 1; https://doi.org/10.3390/sanpp176010001 - 5 Mar 2026

Viewed by 925

Abstract

Following the successful integration of Cardiovascular Medicine into our portfolio [...] Full article

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Swiss Arch. Neurol. Psychiatry Psychother., Volume 176, Issue 1 (June 2026) – 5 articles

Further Information

Guidelines

MDPI Initiatives

Follow MDPI