Mentalisation

Mentalisation refers to the process of understanding one's own and others' behavior in terms of underlying mental states, such as feelings, beliefs, intentions, and desires. It is a form of imagining what is going on in another person's mind and also in one's own mind. This capacity allows individuals to make sense of their experiences and relationships, facilitating social interaction and emotional regulation. The concept originated within psychoanalytic theory, notably developed by Peter Fonagy and his colleagues.

A key aspect of mentalisation is the ability to distinguish between internal mental states and external reality. For example, recognizing that a belief about something does not necessarily make it true. This capacity is crucial for developing a stable sense of self and for forming secure attachments with others. Impaired mentalisation is often associated with various psychological difficulties, including personality disorders, particularly borderline personality disorder, as well as difficulties in parenting.

The development of mentalisation is thought to be heavily influenced by early caregiver-child interactions. When caregivers are responsive to a child's emotional states and reflect on their own and the child's mental experiences, they help foster the child's developing capacity to mentalise. Conversely, inconsistent or invalidating caregiving environments can hinder this development. Therapy approaches that aim to improve mentalisation, such as Mentalisation-Based Treatment (MBT), focus on enhancing a person's ability to understand mental states in themselves and others.