Psychological Correlates of Depression

D. 'EPRESSION HAS been regarded by many writers as a psychosomatic disorder. On the basis of an extensive review of the literature on manic-depressive psychoses and allied states, Bellak posits a multifactor psychosomatic theory. He holds that there are several differing syndromes and etiologic factors grouped under the depressive heading and that any combination of physiological and psychological factors may be operative in a given case. The present report is derived from an attempt to test some observations on the psychological aspects of neurotic-depressive conditions. This study is part of a broad investigation of the psychological and physiological correlates of depression. The psychological aspects of depression have engaged the attention of psychoanalytic writers since Abraham's first paper on manic-depressive psychosis published in 1911. The mechanisms of inverted hostility and self-punishment were underscored by Freud in his classic paper "Mourning and Melancholia" and many subsequent psychoanalytic papers have reiterated the importance of these mechanisms in the psychodynamics of depressed patients.' >