Depression is predicted to be one of the largest global health burdens in the future. As
such, it is important to expand the current understanding of this disorder, so as to
develop more effective treatments. While somatic symptoms are being increasingly
recognised as important, one area that has received little attention, is that of the lived
somatic experiences in depression and the psychological meanings behind these. This
study aimed to contribute to this by utilising a qualitative approach. Interviews were
conducted with individuals who had recovered from depression. These interviews
focused on experiences at the time of depression, with an emphasis on day-to-day
physical aspects. Thematic content analysis of participants' narratives revealed central
themes of disconnection from the body, and a sense of lack and deprivation in relation
to the body. These themes were evident in both emotional and physical experiences of
depression, indicating a link between these two aspects of self. The psychological
meanings behind physical experiences were explored utilising psychodynamic
etiological theories of depression. These theories included Freud's theory of object
loss, the theory of unmet oral dependency needs, as well as Winnicott's understanding
of psyche-soma indwelling. Finally, the possibility of the body as symbolic of
etiological processes in depression, was discussed in relation to existing
psychodynamic literature on the mind-body relationship. The results of this research
imply that there may be a relevant relationship between the experiences of the mind
and the body in depression, and that physical experiences during depression may
potentially be understood as symbolic of underlying etiological processes.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:wits/oai:wiredspace.wits.ac.za:10539/7181 |
| Date | 03 September 2009 |
| Creators | Sherry, Althea |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | application/pdf |
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