Psychoanalytic Case Formulation -

Instead of just "fixing" the panic, the therapist and Sarah use this formulation as a .

The story of a psychoanalytic case formulation is less about a final "diagnosis" and more like a . It is the process of mapping a person's inner world to understand why they are suffering today based on who they were yesterday. The Opening: The "Surface" Presentation Psychoanalytic Case Formulation

"Sarah’s panic attacks are not random; they are 'signals' from her unconscious. When she succeeds, she feels a deep-seated fear of 'surpassing' her mother, which her mind interprets as a threat to her safety. Her panic is a desperate attempt to stay 'small' and safe." The Resolution: Treatment as a Shared Story Instead of just "fixing" the panic, the therapist