On the Threshold of Eternity (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I was reading ‘Depression’ by Aaron T Beck, who was instrumental in pioneering the treatment of depression with the cognitive behavioral approach, and was surprised to find that Beck had classified depressive symptoms in four buckets which correspond to the ABCD system.

For example, like the Affect, Behavior, Cognition and Drive (motivation) ABCD model, he parses depressive symptoms as either emotional manifestations,  cognitive manifestations, motivational manifestations and vegetative and physical manifestations. A complete list of symptoms is given below:

Emotional Manifestations

• Dejected mood
  Negative feelings toward self
  Reduction in gratification
  Loss of emotional attachments
  Crying spells
  Loss of mirth response

Cognitive Manifestations

• Low self-evaluation
  Negative expectations
  Self-blame and self-criticism
  Indecisiveness
  Distortion of body image

Motivational Manifestations

• Paralysis of the will
  Avoidance, escapist, and withdrawal wishes
  Suicidal wishes
  Increased dependency

Vegetative and Physical Manifestations

• Loss of appetite
  Sleep disturbance
  Loss of libido
  Fatigability

While the world has moved beyond these models to the DSM V (although DSM IV-TR ) is still widely used) and its good to be up to speed regarding the latest diagnostics criteria for depression, this historical classification of symptoms to me proves once more the power of the ABCD conceptualization.