Processes and mechanisms

Self-criticism

Harsh or punitive self-evaluation.

Cognitive/affective processClinically reviewed

CognitionAffect

Fit, function and alternatives

Test this factor against the case

A contextual factor earns a place in the formulation when case evidence links it to the presentation, not because it is present.

Check alternatives

Do not infer the process from a label, search phrase or diagnosis alone. Assess actual circumstances and source-specific population limits.

Next steps

Elicit case evidence, examine alternatives, discuss the hypothesis with the person, and revise when relevant evidence changes.

Qualification

Association with psychopathology is not proof of a primary cause. Distinguish remorse and realistic appraisal from pervasive self-attack.

Caveats for this record

Educational formulation aid, not a diagnostic instrument, score or treatment order.
No generated history, trauma, protective factor, or patient preference may be asserted without case evidence.

Record status

Record type: Cognitive/affective process
Population: Adult-general clinical formulation; apply narrower source population limits
Review: Clinically reviewed

Evidence

S28The clinical trait self-criticism and its relation to psychopathology: A systematic review – Update

Journal of Affective Disorders (Elsevier) · 10.1016/j.jad.2018.12.069 · Bibliographic record and abstract. Abstract/methods/results.

Heterogeneous conceptualisations. It is not a direct source for every shame–self-harm causal pathway.

Link withheld: this source remains held and is cited as metadata only.

Evidence references only. Each source's own limitations still apply.

Processes and mechanisms

Affect intolerance Checking / compulsive response Conditioning / learned associations Distress-driven impulsivity / negative urgency Guilt Hopelessness / future constriction

Guide modules

Rapid clinical formulation guide Foundations, terminology and evidence limits Practical assessment-to-formulation workflow Risk formulation and management linkage Documentation templates and worked examples

How to use this

Record the case evidence yourself. Nothing here is a patient finding, and no factor becomes a cause because it appears in the formulation.

Processes and mechanisms

Self-criticism

Harsh or punitive self-evaluation.

Cognitive/affective processClinically reviewed

CognitionAffect

Fit, function and alternatives

Test this factor against the case

A contextual factor earns a place in the formulation when case evidence links it to the presentation, not because it is present.

Check alternatives

Do not infer the process from a label, search phrase or diagnosis alone. Assess actual circumstances and source-specific population limits.

Next steps

Elicit case evidence, examine alternatives, discuss the hypothesis with the person, and revise when relevant evidence changes.

Qualification

Association with psychopathology is not proof of a primary cause. Distinguish remorse and realistic appraisal from pervasive self-attack.

Caveats for this record

Educational formulation aid, not a diagnostic instrument, score or treatment order.
No generated history, trauma, protective factor, or patient preference may be asserted without case evidence.

Record status

Record type: Cognitive/affective process
Population: Adult-general clinical formulation; apply narrower source population limits
Review: Clinically reviewed

Evidence

S28The clinical trait self-criticism and its relation to psychopathology: A systematic review – Update

Journal of Affective Disorders (Elsevier) · 10.1016/j.jad.2018.12.069 · Bibliographic record and abstract. Abstract/methods/results.

Heterogeneous conceptualisations. It is not a direct source for every shame–self-harm causal pathway.

Link withheld: this source remains held and is cited as metadata only.

Evidence references only. Each source's own limitations still apply.

Processes and mechanisms

Affect intolerance Checking / compulsive response Conditioning / learned associations Distress-driven impulsivity / negative urgency Guilt Hopelessness / future constriction

Guide modules

How to use this

Record the case evidence yourself. Nothing here is a patient finding, and no factor becomes a cause because it appears in the formulation.