1. © Banff and Buchan College 2004 Psychodynamic and Humanistic Explanations of Depression

2. © Banff and Buchan College 2004 Psychodynamic Explanations Freud anger turned towards the self bereavement results in sense of worthlessness or guilt can be symbolic bereavement

3. BUT Weissman et al (1971) found that people with depression often express intense anger towards others © Banff and Buchan College 2004

4. Alternative Psychodynamic Theory depression as ‘love addiction’ (e.g. Rado, 1928) dependent on others for self-esteem require constant demonstrations of love but, care little for others © Banff and Buchan College 2004

5. Evaluation Psychodynamic theories are difficult to test, but two claims have been supported by empirical evidence: Neitzel and Harris (1990) demonstrated that a high level of dependence is a characteristic of depressed people and that dependent people are more prone to depression. © Banff and Buchan College 2004

6. Evaluation (contd) Kendler (1991) demonstrated that depressed people are not more likely to have suffered a parental death in childhood, but they are more likely to have suffered separation through family conflict. It appears that poor parenting is more important than the death of a parent at placing a child at risk from depression. © Banff and Buchan College 2004

7. Humanistic Explanations guilt over perceived failure to ‘live competently’ failure to make choices, to fulfill his or her potential and to take responsibility for his or her life fear of aloneness. Depressives are dependent, and depression is precipitated by loss. © Banff and Buchan College 2004

8. Humanistic Explanations (contd) loneliness is not something to be avoided or treated a human condition which should be used as a means of personal growth people become anxious about loneliness and react to their solitary state by engaging in wasteful superficial social activities which do not allay their fears this futile struggle adds to the depression. © Banff and Buchan College 2004

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