The bifocal model: A two-level clinical model of psychiatric disorders integrating diagnostic and transdiagnostic approaches.

ABSTRACT

Nowadays, two distinct conceptualizations are available to classify, label and guide the treatment of psychiatric disorders the diagnostic approach and the transdiagnostic approach. There are pros and cons to both approaches. We propose here to link these two conceptualizations by creating a two-level clinical model that takes advantages of both approaches, named the bifocal model (BFM). This two-tier clinical model consists of a double level of analysis: the first step is to identify transdiagnostic mechanisms involved in multiple disorders and then to recognize specific mechanisms identified in a given disorder or cluster of symptoms. Such a process would bring the diagnostic and transdiagnostic approaches together and offer a more flexible way to understand mental disorders and ultimately to improve medical outcomes.