The Cycle of Depression

  • a setback or change in life circumstances which results in needs not being met can lead to emotional reaction - the survival drive around four main areas of life food, love, sex, and achievement
  • emotional arousal can trigger the primary survival response of 'fight' (anger) or 'flight' (fear) leading to black and white, catastrophising thinking which generates more emotion in preparation for action. Often no action results, leaving many undischarged emotions and unfulfilled expectations
  • increased pressure on the brain's dreaming process (REM sleep) to discharge emotional expectations disturbs sleep patterns. Because dreaming fires the orientation response, excessive dreaming leaves the orientation response depleted of energy, and the body tired due to lack of restorative sleep
  • an exhausted orientation response coupled with a tired body, means the mind is unable to focus attention upon waking, usually resulting in a continuing lack of meaning and motivation. This empty feeling contributes to more emotional stress (worry) not being discharged through purposeful action during the day, and primed for continuing disturbed sleep.

The cycle of depression is explained in more detail, including reference to the human givens principles and the 'expectation fulfilment theory' of dreaming in the introductory seminar Introducing the HG approach