ABSTRACT
Depression is a common and often a very debilitating disorder. However, states of depression are highly heterogeneous in terms of cause, presentation, recovery, and relapse. This chapter focuses first on the evolutionary and biopsychosocial account of the origins of depression, where processes such as shame, low social rank – as well as perceived defeat and entrapment – and self‐criticism are linked to depression. Fear of self-compassion and fear of compassion from others, as well as their dysfunctional attachment origins, are also associated to depression. CFT for depression uses a number of practices that are employed in many other therapies as well as the typical CFT interventions. Psychoeducation on the evolutionary nature of one’s motives, emotions, and competencies relieves part of the depressed client’s self-accusing and self-blaming attitude. Creating an inner sense of a secure base and safe haven counteracts shame and self-criticism and becomes a source of encouragement and guidance, helping clients increase feelings of safeness to balance out their threat activation and enabling them to pursue rewarding activities. Emotion regulation practices, behavioural interventions, and mindfulness techniques are also used to address patterns of anger, anxiety, and sadness that are typically part of depression.
