An existential conceptualization of depression as an escape from responsibility by Marilyn Kirkwood Murray A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF EDUCATION Montana State University © Copyright by Marilyn Kirkwood Murray (1974) Abstract: Although some literature exists on the existential view of neurosis, very little has been written on depression. The purpose of this paper is to offer a conceptualization of depression based on existential philosophy. A description of psychoanalytic and behavioristic theories of depression as well as relevant aspects of existential philosophy and specific existential statements on neurosis are included in the review portion of this paper. An explanation of the author's theory of depression is then offered. The psychoanalytic view states that depression occurs in persons predisposed to the condition because of fixation in infancy at the oral aggressive stage of development. The major precipitating factor is a severe blow to the person's self-esteem as a result of a loss of loved object or the equivalent. The depressed person introjects the lost object for the purpose of working through unfinished business and attempts to resolve a love/hate conflict with the lost object. The dynamics of this process of introjection are based on past infantile attempts to cope with contradictory aspects of the original loved object, usually the infant's mother. Behaviorists view depression as due to a lack of social reinforcement. The depressed person either failed to learn or forgot through an extinction process how to elicit positive, reinforcing responses from others. His behavior repertoire is deficient, and it is likely to remain deficient because his ineffective and maladaptive behavior is reinforced and sustained by the pity and concern of others. Behaviorists agree with psychoanalysts that depression is a response to a loss of loved object or the equivalent, resulting in lowered selfesteem. They explain it, however, in terms of the loss of a significant source of reinforcement. Existentialists view emotional disorder as a response to the difficulties of coping with freedom. This freedom necessitates that a person is responsible for the choices that he makes which govern the quality of his life. Man can obstruct an awareness of his freedom and his resultant responsibility only through a process of self-denial that results in personal alienation and loss of self. The writer views depression as the culmination point of a chain of actions which are taken to avoid the recognition that one has choice and is therefore responsible for the quality of his life. Depression occurs at the point in this chain where one can no longer avoid the realization that his life is without significance. It is an attempt to obstruct from awareness the fact that he is responsible for this lack of significance. AN EXISTENTIAL CONCEPTUALIZATION OF DEPRESSION AS AN ESCAPE FROM RESPONSIBILITY ' by MARILYN KIRKWOOD MURRAY A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF EDUCATION Approved: Head ,jor Department Graftuit e^Dean MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY Bozeman, Montana August, 1974 iii • ACKNOWLEDGMENT The completion of this paper was made possible by the support and suggestions of several individuals. The author especially wishes to extend her gratitude to Dr. Erank Seitz and Dr. George Hossack for their time, encouragement, guidance, and suggestions. The author also wishes to extend her appreciation to Dr. Richard Horswill for his suggestions, support, and encouragement; to Dr. Eldon Dodge, Dr. Douglas Herbster, and Dr. George Rice for their suggestions; and a very special thanks to her husband, Ted Murray, for his patience, support, and faith which have made not only this paper but many other things possible. TABLE OF CONTENTS Page LIST OF FIGURES'................................................... vii ABSTRACT...........................................................viii CHAPTER I. Introduction............................ ............... I. Statement of the Problem ............................. 7 Need or Purpose of This Study........................ 7 General Questions To Be Considered ......... ..... 8 General Procedures ................ ......... 10 Limitations and Delimitations................ 11 Definition of Terms. ................................ 12 Summary.................. 12 II. Psychoanalytic View of Depression............ 13 Description of Depression............ 13 Precipitating Factors.......... 15 Predisposition to Depression .............. ..... 18 Dynamics of Adult Depression........ '.............. 24 Conclusion ..... ................................ 30 III. The Behavioristic View of Depression.................... 32 Behavior Therapy and Psychoanalysis.................. 33 Behavioral Description of Depression ................ 34 Anxiety and Depression .............................. % 40 Additional Techniques and Their Effect on Depression . 45 V Chapter Page Conclusion............ 48 IV. The Human Situation. ................................... 50 Man's Basic Predicament.................................. 53 Existence Versus Essence .... ........ 53 Freedom-Choice-Responsibility.............. 56 Meaning................ .. ■.................... 62 Denial of the Predicament. .............................. 64 Bad Faith........................................... 64 Self-Denial.......................................... 66 Lack of Awareness.................................... 69 Consequences of Denial . ........................... 72 Self-Alienation or Estrangement...................... 72 Encounter with Nothingness............ 75 Guilt............................................ .. 80 Anxiety.............. 82 Escape-Depression.................... 83 Conclusion ............ ...... ................ 84 V. The Existential View of Neurosis ......................... 86 Maslowt s View of Neurosis............................ 87 Frankl1s Noogenic 'Neurosis.................. 89 Thorne's Existential Disorders .... .............. 93 Maddi's Existential Neurosis ..... .............. 95 vi Chapter Page Scher's Existential Model for Clinical Depression. 99 Other Existential Views of Neurosis.................. 101 Summary.............................................. 106 Psychoanalytic View of Man ........................... 107 Behavioristic View of Man. ................... 109 Existential View of Man.............................. Ill VI. An Existential Conceptualization of Depression as an Avoidance of Responsibility. .................... 114 Existential Anxiety.................................. 117 Existential Frustration. .............. ....... 121 Existential Guil t ............................... .. 124 Dynamics of Depression.............................. 128 Perceptual Distortions .............................. 132 Cognitive Distortions................... ............ 133 Affective Distortions. ..... .................... 136 Dynamics of Depressive's Transactions with Others. 139 Antecedent Conditions to a DepressedReaction ......... 141 Stress Factors Which Are Likely to Precipitate Depression........................................ 147 Conclusion ........................................... 151 VII. Summary and Recommendations............. 153 Summary.......... 153 Recommendations for Further Research......... 157 LITERATURE CITED . ............................................. 160 LIST OF FIGURES Figure Page I. Rage-Guilt Cycle.............................. ........... 29 viii ABSTRACT Although some literature exists on the existential view of neurosis, very little has been written on depression. The purpose of this paper is to offer a conceptualization of depression based on existential philosophy. A description of psychoanalytic and behavior­ istic theories of depression as well as relevant aspects of existential philosophy and specific existential statements on neurosis are included in the review portion of this paper. An explanation of the author's theory of depression is then offered. The psychoanalytic view states that depression occurs in persons predisposed to the condition because of fixation in infancy at the OjTal aggressive stage of development. The major precipitating factor is a severe blow to the person's self-esteem as a result of a loss of loved object or the equivalent. The depressed person introjects the lost object for the purpose of working through unfinished business and attempts to resolve a love/hate conflict with the lost object. The dynamics of this process of introjection are based on past infantile attempts to cope with contradictory aspects of the original loved object, usually the infant's mother. Behaviorists view depression as due to a lack of social rein­ forcement. The depressed person either failed to learn or forgot through an extinction process how to elicit positive, reinforcing responses from others. His behavior repertoire is deficient, and it is likely to remain deficient because his ineffective and maladaptive behavior is reinforced and sustained by the pity and concern of others. Behaviorists agree with psychoanalysts that depression is a response to a loss of loved object or the equivalent, resulting in lowered self­ esteem. They explain it, however, in terms of the loss of a significant source of reinforcement. Existentialists view emotional disorder as a response to the difficulties of coping with freedom. This freedom necessitates that a person is responsible for the choices that he-makes