The field of phenomenological psychopathology (PP) is concerned with exploring and describing the individual experience of those suffering from mental disorders. Whilst there is often an understandable emphasis within psychiatry on diagnosis and treatment, the subjective experience of the individual is frequently overlooked. Yet a patient's own account of how their illness affects their thoughts, values, consciousness, and sense of self, can provide important insights into their condition - insights that can complement the more empirical findings from studies of brain function or behaviour. The Oxford Handbook of Phenomenological Psychopathology is the first ever comprehensive review of the field. It considers the history of PP, its methodology, key concepts, and includes a section exploring individual experiences within schizophrenia, depression, borderline personality disorder, OCD, and phobia. In addition it includes chapters on some of the leading figures throughout the history of this field. Bringing together chapters from a global team of leading academics, researchers and practitioners, the book will be valuable for those within the fields of psychiatry, clinical psychology, and philosophy.

The interaction between philosophy and clinical psychopathology in the form of the 'phenomenological movement' was one of the most significant events to occur in mental health over the course of the last century. As the gulf between 'analytical' and 'continential' philosophy reduces, and as clinical psychiatry looks beyond DSM-IV and ICD-10, there is renewed enthusiasm for phenomenological thinking. This unique book brings together and interprets previously hard to find texts, new translations and passages detailing the interplay between philosophy and psychopathology, making them accessible to a new generation of mental health researchers, practitioners and policy makers. The content charts both the influence of key philosophers on ways of thinking and describes the impact and influence of phenomenological approaches to clinical work and understanding in a variety of mental disorders.