ABSTRACT
This volume has presented a model of depression that purports to account for the evolutionary function of the mechanisms that contribute to a number of forms of depression. We call this the social rank model, although in fact much of what is outlined here is how moods, emotions, and social behaviors that evolved in hierarchical social relationships over millions of years have to be seen as integrated with those that evolved later to serve attachment needs. We have used case examples to illustrate how this model enables us to help our clients learn more health-promoting ways of managing thwarted goals, anger, and conflict. However, the relevance of other models in helping us to achieve these aims has also been outlined. For example, attachment theory highlights the value of promoting secure attachments in our clients and it was suggested that the presence of secure attachments will promote the effective functioning of mechanisms like the involuntary defeat strategy (IDS), acceptance, and submission, which are designed to bring conflict to an end. Depression has been conceptualized as a fail-safe strategy and the therapist can present alternatives at a higher level of organization. Therapy based on evolutionary principles aims to replace unconscious behavioral strategies with conscious ones.
