Fears of Compassion in a Depressed Population Implication for Psychotherapy

Paul Gilbert

doi:10.4172/2167-1044.s2-003

Abstract

Background: While psychological therapies for depression have advanced in the last 20 years, still many people respond only partially and remain vulnerable to relapse. Insight into the limitations of our psychological therapies might be obtained from recent research that has revealed, in nonclinical populations, that some people can be fearful of positive emotions especially affiliative and compassion-focused ones. Method: 53 depressed patients completed a series of self-report scales. Results: Fears of compassion, particularly for oneself and from others, were strongly linked to self-criticism, depression, anxiety and stress, and negatively associated with self-compassion and self-reassurance. Conclusions: Since compassion and the affiliative emotions associated with compassion play a fundamental role in emotion regulation, individuals who are blocked or fearful of accessing these emotions are likely to be struggle with emotional regulation and the psychotherapeutic process. Research on the fears of compassion and affiliative emotions suggests these are important therapeutic targets.

Highlights

A recent meta-analysis has suggested that there are few differences of efficacy between different therapies for depression [1]
Since compassion and the affiliative emotions associated with compassion play a fundamental role in emotion regulation, individuals who are blocked or fearful of accessing these emotions are likely to be struggle with emotional regulation and the psychotherapeutic process
This review shows that compassion is complex, it can be focused on others, self or receiving compassion and there are a range of reasons why individuals may block compassion

Summary

Introduction

A recent meta-analysis has suggested that there are few differences of efficacy between different therapies for depression [1]. Recently attention has focused on the role of cultivating compassion for self and others. This is associated with generating positive emotions, those associated with affiliation, connectedness and attachment. Compassion focused therapy (CFT) pays particular attention to the ability to generate affiliative motives, behaviours and emotions [13,14]. Focusing on the experience and development of compassion has been found to reduce depression, anxiety and self-criticism in people presenting to a community mental health team [15], in people with long term mental health problems [16], and people in a high security psychiatric setting [17]. Insight into the limitations of our psychological therapies might be obtained from recent research that has revealed, in nonclinical populations, that some people can be fearful of positive emotions especially affiliative and compassion-focused ones

Methods

Results

Conclusion