A experiência da Unidade da Primeira Infância

MARIA JOSÉ GONÇALVES (*)

RESUMO

Neste artigo é descrita de forma sucinta a evolução dos conhecimentos na área da saúde mental do bebé nos últimos 20 anos e discutida de forma crítica, à luz dessa evolução, a prática e filosofia de intervenção da Unidade da Primeira Infância. Sendo a primeira prioridade da Unidade a prevenção em saúde mental, é primeiramente feita uma análise do risco, em termos de resiliência e vulnerabilidade. A partir de duas vinhetas clínicas pretende-se demonstrar que a avaliação da vulnerabilidade e do risco deve, no entanto, ter em consideração a dimensão intrapsíquica, nomeadamente a qualidade das experiências precoces do self.

Palavras-chave: Experiências do self, mecanismo do risco, psicopatologia.

ABSTRACT

The author briefly describes the evolution of concepts in infant mental health in the last twenty years. Practice and principles of intervention at UPI are discussed under the light of this evolution. Being mental health prevention the first priority of the Unit, risk evaluation in terms of resilience and vulnerability assessment are hallmarks of the clinical work. Through the presentation of two clinical vignettes the author stresses that vulnerability and risk evaluation must take into account the intra-psychic dimension, namely the quality of early experiences of the self.

Key words: Experiences of the self, risk mechanisms, psychopathology.

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