Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Depressive Disorders: Etiology

Depressive Disorders: Etiology

Depressive disorders result from a complex interplay of biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors, each contributing uniquely to the development and persistence of the condition. Understanding these factors provides critical insight into the multifaceted nature of depression.
Biological Factors in Depression
Biological predispositions significantly influence the risk of developing depressive disorders. Genetic studies highlight the role of variations in the serotonin transporter...

Depression: Overview

Depression: Overview

Depression is a prevalent mental illness marked by persistent sadness and lack of interest in previously enjoyable activities. It can take several forms, including major depression, persistent depressive disorder, and bipolar I and II disorders. Symptoms range from emotional changes like chronic worry to physical changes like sleep disturbances and suicidal thoughts. From a neurobiological perspective, depression is believed to be triggered by abnormalities in the brain's prefrontal cortex,...

Humanistic Therapy

Humanistic Therapy

Humanistic therapies emphasize personal growth, self-understanding, and the fulfillment of human potential. Rooted in the belief that individuals inherently strive toward self-actualization, these approaches encourage clients to explore their feelings and experiences in a supportive, nonjudgmental environment. Humanistic therapies differ from psychodynamic approaches by focusing on conscious experiences, present circumstances, and the potential for self-improvement rather than past conflicts...

Need for Self-Esteem

Need for Self-Esteem

The human need for self-esteem has long intrigued psychologists, leading to the development of several theories that explore its evolutionary and functional significance. Among the most influential are the sociometer, hierometer, and terror management theories. Each offers a unique perspective on why people strive for self-worth and how it shapes behavior and social interaction.Sociometer TheoryAccording to sociometer theory, self-esteem functions as an internal gauge of social acceptance. It...

Psychodynamic Therapy

Psychodynamic Therapy

Psychodynamic therapies emphasize the exploration of unconscious processes and early childhood experiences as fundamental contributors to psychological difficulties. These therapies, deeply rooted in Freud's psychoanalytic theory, aim to uncover and resolve unconscious conflicts, granting individuals insights that promote emotional and behavioral healing. Contemporary psychodynamic approaches have evolved, integrating a broader range of influences and methodologies while still valuing the...

Unrealistic Optimism Bias

Unrealistic Optimism Bias

Unrealistic optimism bias is the tendency to overestimate the likelihood of positive outcomes. This cognitive bias makes individuals believe they are less likely to experience failures, setbacks, or risks and more likely to succeed than others. For example, people may assume they are less prone to health issues, accidents, or financial struggles than their peers, even when they share similar risk factors.One key component of this bias is the above-average effect, where individuals perceive...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Added value of cell-free DNA over clinical and ultrasound information for diagnosing ovarian cancer.

Ultrasound in obstetrics & gynecology : the official journal of the International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology·2025

Same author

Single-cell profiling in ovarian germ cell and sex cord-stromal tumours.

British journal of cancer·2025

Same author

[Neural networks in late life depression].

Tijdschrift voor psychiatrie·2024

Same author

[De verwevenheid van psychiatrie en taal].

Tijdschrift voor psychiatrie·2023

Same author

[Fenomenologie en context: een noodzakelijke wending].

Tijdschrift voor psychiatrie·2022

Same author

The systemic treatment of recurrent ovarian cancer revisited.

Annals of oncology : official journal of the European Society for Medical Oncology·2021

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 29, 2025

A New Method for Inducing a Depression-Like Behavior in Rats

A New Method for Inducing a Depression-Like Behavior in Rats

Published on: February 22, 2018

[Existential hope: a phenomenological key to understanding depression?]

T Baert, Z Van Duppen, D De Wachter

Tijdschrift Voor Psychiatrie

|January 30, 2020

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Depression involves a loss of existential hope, a state distinct from demoralization. Understanding this loss through a phenomenological lens offers a new framework for depression treatment and recovery.

More Related Videos

Animal Models of Depression - Chronic Despair Model CDM

Animal Models of Depression - Chronic Despair Model CDM

Published on: September 23, 2021

The Forced Swim Test as a Model of Depressive-like Behavior

The Forced Swim Test as a Model of Depressive-like Behavior

Published on: March 2, 2015

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Dec 29, 2025

A New Method for Inducing a Depression-Like Behavior in Rats

A New Method for Inducing a Depression-Like Behavior in Rats

Published on: February 22, 2018

Animal Models of Depression - Chronic Despair Model CDM

Animal Models of Depression - Chronic Despair Model CDM

Published on: September 23, 2021

The Forced Swim Test as a Model of Depressive-like Behavior

The Forced Swim Test as a Model of Depressive-like Behavior

Published on: March 2, 2015

Area of Science:

Psychology
Psychiatry
Phenomenology

Background:

Conceptual understanding of hope is lacking in mental health research.
Depression's despair surpasses everyday understanding of hope and hopelessness.
The nature of depressive despair requires deeper exploration.

Purpose of the Study:

Describe depression via a phenomenological understanding of hope.
Explore the relationship between existential hope and the definition of depression.
Examine insights for clinical practice in treating depression.

Main Methods:

Phenomenological analysis of hope in depression.
Exploration of the experiential structure of depressive despair.
Review of existing definitions of depression as a mood disorder.

Main Results:

Existential hope emerges from world experience and relationships.
Depression is characterized by a profound loss of existential hope.
Depressive despair involves a unique experiential shift, differentiating it from demoralization.
Depression can be viewed as a 'disorder of attunement'.
Therapeutic relationships can foster recovery by restoring a sense of possibilities.

Conclusions:

Existential hope offers a novel conceptual framework for understanding depression.
This framework illuminates the experience of depression and its potential for recovery.
Recognizing the loss of existential hope is key to therapeutic intervention.