Differential Diagnosis of the Three Types of Parental Alienation Syndrome
Mild
The campaign of Denigration Weak, Frivolous, or Absurd Rationalizations for the Depreciation Lack of Ambivalence The Independent-Thinker Phenomenon Reflexive Support of the Alienating Parent in the Parental Conflict Absence of Guilt Borrowed Scenarios Spread of the Animosity to the Extended Family of the Alienated Parent Transitional Difficulties at the Time of Visitation Behavior During Visitation Bonding with the Alienator Bonding with the Alienated Parent Moderate The campaign of Denigration Weak, Frivolous, or Absurd Rationalizations for the Depreciation Lack of Ambivalence The Independent-Thinker Phenomenon Reflexive Support of the Alienating Parent in the Parental Conflict Absence of Guilt Borrowed Scenarios Spread of the Animosity to the Extended Family of the Alienated Parent Transitional Difficulties at the Time of Visitation Behavior During Visitation Bonding with the Alienator Bonding with the Alienated Parent Severe The campaign of Denigration Weak, Frivolous, or Absurd Rationalizations for the Depreciation Lack of Ambivalence The Independent-Thinker Phenomenon Reflexive Support of the Alienating Parent in the Parental Conflict Absence of Guilt Borrowed Scenarios Spread of the Animosity to the Extended Family of the Alienated Parent Transitional Difficulties at the Time of Visitation Behavior During Visitation Bonding with the Alienator Bonding with the Alienated Parent |
- Minimal - Minimal - Normal ambivalence - Usually absent - Minimal - Normal guilt - Minimal - Minimal - Usually absent - Good - Strong, healthy - Strong, healthy, or minimally pathological - Moderate - Moderate - No ambivalence - Present - Present - Minimal to no guilt - Present - Present - Moderate - Intermittently antagonistic and provocative - Strong, mildly tomoderately pathological - Strong, healthy, or minimally pathological - Formidable - Multiple absurd rationalizations - No ambivalence - Present - Present - No guilt - Present - Formidable, often fanatic - Formidable, or visit not possible - No visit, or destructive and continually - Severely pathological, often paranoid bonding - Strong, healthy, or minimally pathological |
Taken from: The Parenatal Alienation Syndrome: A Guide for Mental Health and Legal Professionals, Richard A. Gardner, M.D.