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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
  • Adam Polnay, The State Hospital, Carstairs and Royal Edinburgh Hospital, Edinburgh, Rhiannon Pugh, Victoria Barker, East London NHS Foundation Trust, London, David Bell, British Psychoanalytic Society, Allan Beveridge, Royal College of Psychiatrists, London, Adam Burley, Rivers Centre, Edinburgh, Allyson Lumsden, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, C. Susan Mizen, Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust, Exeter, Lauren Wilson, Royal Edinburgh Hospital, Edinburgh
  • Foreword by Nancy McWilliams
  • Book:
    Cambridge Guide to Psychodynamic Psychotherapy
    Published online:
    25 August 2023
    Print publication:
    10 August 2023, pp 184-199

  • 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.