Complex Depression: What Is it and What to Do About It

This webinar presents the notion of complex depression, which pertains to the numerous—and illusive—ways unipolar depression tends to present itself, becomes chronic and suicidal, and mutate into other clinical, health, and criminal problems. The presenter offers his own, science-informed, theory as to why depression gets complicated, focusing on the interaction between two major factors: personality and the social context. The notion of eco-dynamics, i.e., the tendency of personality dynamics to reaffirm itself via social relations and structures, will be highlighted. Finally, the presenter notes key implication of this theory to assessment and integrative psychotherapy with individuals suffering from complex depression.

• Identify and classify complex manifestations of depression.
• Explain how personality processes, particularly psychodynamic and social-cognitive ones, interact with the social environment to create complex manifestations of depression.
• Gain an appreciation of how complex depression could be assessed and treated using integrative interventions.

Golan Shahar, PhD