Depression therapy and negative thought patterns

Feeling blue. The glass is half full. Negative Nelly. Killjoy. Worrywart. A pessimist may have many names that represent the same overall theme: “a person who expects overall poor outcomes.” (1)

Depression is widely known and understood as a mental health disorder with a characteristic set of symptoms including lack of joy, fatigue, persistent sadness, feelings of hopelessness, negative thought rumination, feeling worthlessness or persistent guilt. (2)

When thinking of a pessimist, many people, thought patterns and people or characters that embody this word likely come to mind. But what about depression and pessimism? Are pessimism and depression connected? Are depression and pessimism the same or similar? Are depression and pessimism different? Today we will work to explore pessimism and depression and understand the connections and differences.

Are pessimism and depression connected?

The connection between depression and pessimism is complex. The depression symptom set itself included thinking patterns related to hopelessness, worthlessness and being stuck which does overlap strongly with the definition of pessimism outlined as a negative view of the future.

There is also interesting research available on the neuroscience of depression and pessimism. The findings state that there is a correlating area of brain activation in both depression and pessimism, indicating a correlation between the two on a neurological level. (3)

In research studying cognition and its impact on depression and depressed persons, the findings strongly suggest that the development of pessimistic attitudes may contribute to depression symptoms through the connection between our cognition or thoughts and the internal states and bodily responses associated with thought content. (4) Meaning that pessimistic thought patterns stimulate the body responses associated with depression.

Are depression and pessimism different?

In the research on depression and pessimism, one of the main distinguishing factors noted in the literature that differentiates pessimism as a thought pattern from clinical depression is the purpose or function of pessimism. Researchers have found that pessimistic thought patterns in individuals who are not also clinically depressed tend to serve as functional defense mechanisms as the thoughts push the individual towards preparation for the perceived negative outcome. In contrast, pessimism as a function of depression tends to correlate with higher levels of avoidance or non-action. (5)

An additional distinguishing factor between depression and pessimism, is found in the definition and the breadth of impact. In the definitions of pessimism, the pessimism is purely connected with the cognitions that an individual experiences. In contrast, clinical definitions of depression include impact on a person's cognitions, emotional states, as well as psychological symptoms. So from that lens, pessimism may likely be a part of a depression experience, but pessimism does not always equate to depression

Whether you struggle with depression on a cognitive, emotional and psychical level and need true depression therapy, or experience pessimistic perspective and thought patterns are simply keeping you from viewing the world in the way that you desire, therapy can help. Online therapy and in person therapy services are available through our Arlington, Tx based therapy group.

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