Psychoanalysis.  2018 Apr;29(2):19-26. 10.18529/psychoanal.2018.29.2.19.

Core Psychodynamic Models of Depression and Their Therapeutic Implications

• Lee IS

• KMID: 2435497
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.18529/psychoanal.2018.29.2.19

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Understanding core psychodynamic models of depression in the transference is a central process of psychodynamic psychotherapy for depressed patients. AIM: This paper reviews updated psychodynamic models of depression such as 1) narcissistic vulnerability and shame, 2) managing conflicted anger and anger directed toward the self, 3) excessive guilt, 4) idealization and devaluation, 5) defenses employed in coping with painful affects, 6) anaclitic or dependent depression, 7) introjective or self-critical depression. This paper also shows clinical implications of these models and important therapeutic tasks for facilitating therapeutic alliance and the ego observational capacities.

Keyword

Depression; Mourning; Psychodynamic model; Psychodynamic psychotherapy; Psychoanalytic psychotherapy

MeSH Terms

Anger
Depression*
Ego
Grief
Guilt
Humans
Psychotherapy, Psychodynamic
Shame