Barriers to psychological treatment of depression: Case study presentation of incomplete EMDR treatment

Sadness, low mood, loss of interest or enjoyment of daily activities (especially those which were sources of pleasure) are symptoms that sometimes overwhelm everyone but they eventually resolve. However, when such a state lasts and significantly affects the ability to perform daily duties, then it is probably depression. Depression is a mood disorder characterized by a constant low mood that is accompanied by feelings of great sadness and loss of interest in anything. A special feature of depression is the permanence of this condition, which does not actually go away and does not pass, lasting on average 6 to 8 months. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), depression is the most common disease in the world today and one of the leading causes of disability globally, affecting 350 million people worldwide (WHO). Professionals and scientists today agree that several factors can play a significant role in the onset and development of depression ranging from biological or biochemical (changes in certain neurotransmitters in the brain), genetics, personality traits to environmental factors. In addition to biological and genetic factors and personality traits, environmental factors such as continued exposure to violence, neglect, abuse, or poverty are certainly factors that can make some people susceptible to depression. Important symptoms of depression certainly are depressed mood, decreased interest or enjoyment in previously enjoyed activities, loss of sexual desire, unintentional weight loss or decreased appetite, insomnia (difficulty falling asleep and maintaining quality sleep) or hypersomnia (excessive sleeping), psychomotor anxiety, (restlessness), slowed psychomotor activity, (slowed movements and speech fatigue or loss of energy), worthlessness or guilt feelings, impaired ability to think, concentrate or make decisions, repetitive thoughts of death or suicide, or even suicide attempts. Research data from the USA indicate that approximately 1 in 5 adults experience at least one depressive episode during their lifetime with a tendency for long-term relapse which ultimately affects an individual’s psychophysical ability (Hirschfield 2012). Depression is often associated with negative life experiences and events, especially those at an early age (childhood abuse and neglect). Studies indicate that depression is often associated with early negative life events (Lenze et al. 2008, Syed & Nemeroff 2017, Wang et al. 2020), and that people with chronic depression report a higher number of previous adverse life events (Riso & Newman 2003, Wang et al. 2020). Early life events, whether positive or negative, beneficial or harmful, have a huge impact on an individual’s development, behavior, and long-term health. In addition, negative/adverse life events, defined as potentially traumatic events experienced from birth to the age of 18 increase the risk of disease and behavioral challenges, such as obesity, depression, and alcoholism (Belazair 2018). Childhood trauma is a direct and strong risk factor in the development of depression later in life (Heim et al. 2008), its chronicity (Wiersma et al. 2009), early-onset (Bernet & Stein 1999) and more depressive episodes during life (Bernet & Stein 1999). Hence, depression is a complex disorder that can occur as a result of many different factors, including biological, emotional, and environmental.

Journal

English

Selvira Draganović

Draganović, S. (2021, February). Barriers to psychological treatment of depression: Case study presentation of incomplete EMDR treatment. Psychiatria Danubina, 33(Supplement 1), 116-122