An interactionistic integrating view of depressive disorders and their treatment

Abstract

The development of a depressive disorder is often considered from the perspective of biological causation, mental processes, or with a focus on possible social determinants, even though the possible concomitance of factors belonging to the different domains is generally acknowledged. In this article, a further development of an interactional model previously described is presented. The model is focused on the concept of individual vulnerability, which is assumed to result from a continuous interplay of the individuals with their environment, and from the effect of factors belonging to different domains that interact. A closer definition of individual vulnerability suggests that it consists of the interaction of biological characteristics of the person and a basically dysfunctional self-schema. Empirical studies in support of some of the hypotheses which can be derived from the model are briefly reviewed, and the implications of the model for the treatment of depression is underscored.

Attachment styles and dysfunctional assumptions in adults

“…The last decade has seen an ever increasing interest in a developmental approach to psychopathology, and mounting evidence of the importance of early parent±child interactions in the development of individual vulnerability (Perris, 1991(Perris, , 1994(Perris, , 1998, hence of psychopathological manifestations later in life. In this context, attention has been focused on attachment theory as originally proposed by Bowlby (1969±1980) and successively developed and expanded by his early co-workers and many followers.…”

A Comparison of Life Events in Adolescents with Major Depression, Borderline Personality Disorder and Matched Controls: A Pilot Study

“…A combination of factors from various domains (biologic, psychological and social) influences this risk [2] . Changes in the life of an individual, especially those perceived as stressful, have implications for inducing stress and affecting health and, consequently, are termed 'stressful life events' (LE) [3] .…”

A conceptualization of personality-related disorders of interpersonal behaviour with implications for treatment

“…The model and its theoretical underpinnings have been presented elsewhere with reference to various kinds of mental disorders (e.g., depression, Perris, 1991b;schizophrenic disorders, Perris, 1989schizophrenic disorders, Perris, , 1998; and the PDs, . Thus only a summary of its main characteristics will be provided at this juncture.…”