What Is Depression? DSM-5 and ACT Perspectives

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True North Therapy and Training

Key Points

According to the DSM-5 criteria, depression presents the following symptoms: changes in sleep and appetite, fatigue, poor concentration, and feelings of worthlessness or hopelessness.
According to the ACT perspective, depression is born of cognitive fusion and experiential avoidance.
Behaviors associated with depression from an ACT perspective include avoiding values-based activities, low present-moment awareness, and engaging in unhelpful activities.

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Depression and DSM-5

What do we mean when we talk about depression? If we go by the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria, we see:

Eating and sleeping too much or too little
Difficulties with concentration
Shakiness, lethargy, fatigue
Psychomotor agitation or retardation
Feelings of worthlessness, guilt, indecision, and hopelessness
Depressed mood, anhedonia, or both, anhedonia being loss of pleasure in activities someone used to enjoy

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