Overview of Depression with the Help of the 7x4-field

This presentation describes the applicability of the 7x4-field - first introduced in 1984 for preventive mental health work - for the treatment of depression. This is also bridging, because the many theories of different scientific schools are suitable to this field. The first group of categories in this 7x4-field are the following influential matters: 1) Loneliness, 2) Models, 3) Stresses / challenges 4) Punishments / disappointments, 5) Losses, 6) Avoidances / copings and 7) Changes in life situation. The second group of categories are the following cornerstones of mental health: A) Human relations, B) Bodily functions / Exercise, C) Rational action and D) Irrational action / view of life. The above categories can be cross tabulated to form 28 cells, or they can be used as separate groups. At the outset it is expounded how the formation of depression theory by A. Beck has congruence with the concept of the 7x4-field. Subsequently a more detailed presentation shows how the essential nature of depression can be elucidated with the help of the field in question. The following headings are included: Dealing with the essence of depression, Depression and self-destructiveness, Threshold to seeking help and remaining in treatment in the treatment of depression, The contents of depression therapy and Monitoring depression. Many kinds of scientific analyses of results are incorporated including some information from therapy sessions not within the purview of the 7x4-field. All this bri¬ngs out the fact that the 7x4-field is widely suited for the schema of depression problematics.