Depression: The Emotion Based Therapy Perspective
In this article, I will discuss the basic aspects of depression. Depression is a mental disorder whose main features are a low mood and a decreased or lost capacity for pleasure (anhedonia).
Women are more susceptible to depression than men. Depression can lead to suicide. There are effective psychological and medication treatments for depression.
The main symptoms of depression are low self-esteem, feelings of inadequacy, feelings of guilt, pessimism, impaired concentration, fatigue or lack of energy, sleep and appetite disorders, suicidal tendencies, decreased mood, joyless depressed state, mental lethargy, lack of concentration, inability to focus on anything, and motor sluggishness. It is important that such symptoms last for two weeks.
Types of depression include:
1. Depressive episode. The most common and typical form of depression is a depressive episode. The episode lasts from a few weeks to a year, but always lasts more than two weeks. Approximately one-third of people who become ill may experience only one episode, or "phase," during their lifetime.
2. Recurrent (recurrent) depressive disorder. This is what is known as "classic" or "clinical" depression. Recurrent depressive disorder or major depressive disorder occurs when a depressive episode recurs. It usually begins in adolescence or young adulthood.
Depressive phases can last from several months to several years, alternating with phases of normal mood. This type of depressive disorder seriously affects performance.
Causes of depression include:
1. M. and R. Goulding believe that depressed patients can be divided into three categories: actively suicidal, i.e., committed or have a firm intention to attempt suicide; not actively suicidal, but depressed, having a hidden desire to die; hidden self-destruction is carried out through dangerous occupations, drugs, alcohol, smoking, overeating or starvation (anorexia), overtime work.
Depression is a chronic reactive process. People subjected to it can only respond to external circumstances with depression and sadness. Causes of depression in childhood, when the child was instructed by his parents to "don't live". This is given both verbally and non-verbally. Most importantly, the child concludes (he may not be right, but his subjective belief is important) that his parents don't want him to live, and that they don't need him.
This suicidal intent sometimes leads to actual suicide attempts under different circumstances. However, more often an individual depresses himself in ways that express disregard for his own life and a secret desire for an early death: thoughts about the futility and meaninglessness of life, his worthlessness, dreams of death by drugs, alcohol, smoking, overeating, labour, and the use of drugs.
2. Depression as a result of the suppression of strong feelings. Depression can occur as a result of suppressing certain strong emotions, such as anger or love. Some people believe that the realisation of strong feelings may harm them or is against moral principles. They suppress their desire and expend a lot of energy fighting with themselves. In addition, they give up what they really want, leaving them feeling hopeless. If these feelings are forbidden, they consider themselves bad, which gives them additional arguments for self-oppression.
3. Depression as a result of guilt. A person suffering from guilt oppresses themselves to the point where they feel the urge to commit suicide. Guilt can be completely illusory, and imaginary, there is such a diagnosis - "depression with delusions of guilt". The word "delusion" does not mean that these people are crazy, but their guilt has no real basis. Objectively, these people have done nothing wrong, and they are not crazy, but their guilt is trifling from an outsider's point of view, subjectively growing into something completely unforgivable.
4. Depression as a result of psychological trauma. Depression can arise as a result of some strong stressful event, victims of a catastrophe or terrorist attack, rape or assault with a threat of death, participants in military operations, after devastation, severe personal loss, etc. In these cases, a person is unable to get rid of the traumatic experiences that haunt them; they distort the whole perspective of their life, life loses meaning, and they feel full of evil and hopelessness.
5. Depression as a result of the loss of meaning in life. When the client speaks about the loss of the meaning of life, it is often hidden underneath other problems: an inferiority complex, loss of love, infantilisation, fear of competition, etc. However, regardless of this, the loss of the meaning of life is an independent existential problem. As E. Frankl writes, following the meaning of life brings happiness to a person, and the absence of the meaning of life (existential vacuum) contributes to the development of neurosis, in particular depression.
6. Depression as a result of an inferiority complex. As A. Adler believed, when a person feels that he or she cannot achieve normal compensation for his or her inferiority complex, he or she may "go into illness," creating symptoms of illness to justify his or her failure. The person leads a life of isolation and fantasies that revolve around the idea of his or her greatness. They can become a tyrant in a small family circle, gaining a lot of favours for themselves and losing care, burdening others with extra responsibilities and demanding more attention for themselves. Various symptoms, including depression, may serve as an excuse for refusing to consider others and fulfil regular social duties.
7. Depression as a result of rejection of the Inner Child. Some people simply do not know how to enjoy themselves, to give themselves pleasure. Joy of life is a privilege of the childish state of our Self. Sometimes, a person from childhood can grow up only doing duty, thinking only of duties. This is facilitated by the parental injunction, "Don't be a child," "Don't be joyful."
8. Depression as a result of maladaptive thinking. Thinking errors: black and white thinking, in all-or-nothing terms, catastrophising, devaluing or undervaluing positive aspects, labelling, exaggeration/understatement, mind-reading, overgeneralisation, personalisation, tyranny of oughtness, tunnel vision.
Depression can result from maladaptive, faulty thinking. These thoughts usually contain some form of logical error. The error consists of false attribution—the patient attributes the cause of the event to himself, even though it is unsubstantiated. After that, he depresses himself with feelings of guilt and hopelessness; all thoughts "revolve" around the idea of his own irrelevance and worthlessness. Based on the theory of emotional states of emotionally imaginative therapy, maladaptive thinking is formed due to emotional reasons laid down in childhood.
9. Depression as a result of strong unrealised desires. For example, a strong desire to get married, a strong desire to get rich, to have something very important and necessary. If a person strives long and vainly for the desired object and does not get, falls into despair and a state of depression.
10. Depression as a cause of somatic diseases. Diseases of the thyroid gland and the brain can cause hormonal disorders, disorders of psycho-emotional state, which have all the signs of depression. In this case, treatment of depression will be ineffective, including medication. Then it is possible to apply emotion-based therapy methods in work with psychosomatic symptoms of the diagnosed disease.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the different types of depression?
Depression manifests in various forms, including depressive episodes and recurrent depressive disorder. Understanding these types can help individuals recognise and address their symptoms effectively.
What are the common causes of depression?
Depression can arise from various factors such as traumatic events, suppressed emotions, guilt, loss of meaning in life, and maladaptive thinking. Identifying the underlying cause is essential for effective treatment and management.
How does maladaptive thinking contribute to depression?
Maladaptive thinking patterns, characterised by cognitive distortions like black-and-white thinking and catastrophising, can fuel depressive symptoms. Recognising and challenging these thoughts is crucial for improving mental well-being.
Can unfulfilled desires lead to depression?
Strong, unrealised desires, such as the desire for marriage or financial success, can contribute to feelings of despair and depression when unmet over time. Exploring these desires and managing expectations can be helpful in coping with depressive symptoms.
Is depression linked to somatic diseases?
Certain somatic diseases, including thyroid and brain disorders, can disrupt hormonal balance and contribute to depressive symptoms. Addressing both the physical and emotional aspects of these conditions is essential for comprehensive treatment.
How does gender influence susceptibility to depression?
Women are more prone to depression than men, potentially due to hormonal factors, societal pressures, and biological differences. Recognising gender-specific risk factors can aid in early detection and intervention.
What role does guilt play in depression?
Feelings of guilt, whether real or imagined, can intensify depressive symptoms and contribute to suicidal tendencies. Understanding and addressing these feelings is crucial for managing depression effectively.
Can childhood experiences impact the development of depression?
Childhood experiences, such as parental rejection or trauma, can lay the foundation for maladaptive coping mechanisms and depressive tendencies later in life. Exploring these experiences in therapy can aid in healing and recovery.
How does the loss of meaning in life contribute to depression?
A loss of meaning or purpose in life can exacerbate feelings of hopelessness and despair, contributing to depressive symptoms. Exploring existential questions and finding sources of meaning can be integral to overcoming depression.
What are some common thinking errors associated with depression?
Depression often involves distorted thinking patterns, such as black-and-white thinking and overgeneralisation, which contribute to negative emotions and behaviours. Learning to recognise and challenge these cognitive distortions is key to managing depression effectively.
Olga is a qualified Psychologist (Counselling), based in Baar, Baar, Switzerland, Switzerland.
With a commitment to mental health, Ms Salimova provides services in English, German and Russian, including Counselling (Religious / Spiritual), Emotional Intelligence and Psychology (Counselling).
Ms Salimova has expertise in Adjusting to Change/Life Transitions, Anxiety Disorders, Burnout, Eating and Food Issues, Forgiveness, Online Counselling and Trauma (Childhood).
Click here to schedule a session with Ms Salimova.
Important:
TherapyRoute does not provide medical advice. All content is for informational purposes and cannot replace consulting a healthcare professional. If you face an emergency, please contact a local emergency service. For immediate emotional support, consider contacting a local helpline.
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