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Chapter 12 - The Psychodynamics of Depressing/Depressed States

from Applications of Psychodynamic Psychotherapy with Accompanying Case Study Description for Each Presentation

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 August 2023

Adam Polnay ,
Rhiannon Pugh ,
Victoria Barker ,
David Bell ,
Allan Beveridge ,
Adam Burley ,
Allyson Lumsden ,
C. Susan Mizen  and
Lauren Wilson
Foreword by
Nancy McWilliams
Adam Polnay
Affiliation:
The State Hospital, Carstairs and Royal Edinburgh Hospital, Edinburgh
Victoria Barker
Affiliation:
East London NHS Foundation Trust, London
David Bell
Affiliation:
British Psychoanalytic Society
Allan Beveridge
Affiliation:
Royal College of Psychiatrists, London
Adam Burley
Affiliation:
Rivers Centre, Edinburgh
Allyson Lumsden
Affiliation:
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde
C. Susan Mizen
Affiliation:
Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust, Exeter
Lauren Wilson
Affiliation:
Royal Edinburgh Hospital, Edinburgh
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Summary

There are many ways of becoming depressed. In this chapter we highlight common developmental themes and therapeutic situations amongst people who experience depressing/depressed states. In particular, we expand on two common clinical constellations in some detail: the first a pattern to do with dynamics of loss and abandonment; and the second a tendency to harsh self-criticism, which leads to a devaluing of oneself and others. We use the phrase ‘depressing/depressed’ state to capture the dynamic nature of depression, as opposed to conceptualising depression as a passive state of affairs when someone ‘just is’ depressed. From a psychodynamic view, this is an active and dynamic situation, where an aspect of someone’s internal world is depressing in some way to that person, leaving them feeling depressed. This chapter approaches the external manifestations of depressing/depressed states not as a discrete ‘disorder’, but more as a ‘basic emotional response’ that signals that something is amiss in an individual’s world which requires attending to and addressing.

Keywords

psychodynamic psychotherapydepressiondepressive dynamicbasic emotional responseanaclitic depressionintrojective depression
Type
Chapter
Information
Cambridge Guide to Psychodynamic Psychotherapy , pp. 184 - 199
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2023

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