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What Is Depression?

Signs and Symptoms of Depression

To meet DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for major depressive disorder an individual must have experienced five of the following symptoms for at least two weeks:

a depressed mood that is present most of the day, nearly every day

diminished interest in activities which were previously experienced as pleasurable

fatigue or a loss of energy

sleep disturbance (insomnia or hypersomnia)

feelings of worthlessness, self-reproach, or excessive guilt

a diminished ability to think or concentrate, or indecisiveness

recurrent thoughts of death or suicide, or suicidal behavior

changes in appetite marked by a corresponding weight change

psychomotor agitation or retardation to a degree which is observable by others

Psychological Models and Theory of Depression

Beck’s cognitive theory of depression (Beck, Rush, Shaw, & Emery, 1979) forms the basis for cognitive behavioral approaches for the treatment of depression. Beck’s theory proposes that there are different levels of cognition that can be dysfunctional in depression: core beliefs, rules and assumptions, and negative automatic thoughts. CBT aims to balance negatively biased cognition with more rational and accurate thoughts, beliefs, and assumptions. CBT also systematically aims to increase levels of rewarding activity.

Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) proposes that distress, including symptoms of depression, are the result of psychological inflexibility (Hayes, Luoma, Bond, Masuda, & Lillis, 2006). Indicators of psychological inflexibility include:

‘buying in’ to negative thoughts and narratives;

engaging in worry or rumination that takes us away from the present moment;

losing contact with our values—what is important to us.

Evidence-Based Psychological Approaches for Working with Depression

Many psychological therapies have an evidence base for working with depression:

Resources for Working with Depression

Psychology Tools resources available for working therapeutically with depression may include:

psychological models of depression

information handouts for depression

exercises for depression

CBT worksheets for depression

self-help programs for depression

References