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Toward Molecular Psychotherapy of Depression?

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Psychodynamic Psychotherapy Research

Abstract

The 30–40% share of genetic factors in the disposition to unipolar major depression (MD) leaves an important role for psychosocial and developmental factors in the etiology and treatment of depression [1–3]. Moreover, it is likely that the biological and psychosocial factors are not independent. Their interaction in depression has been suggested in numerous studies, although the relevant mechanisms are not well understood [4–7]. Especially in the psychodynamic picture of depression, the role of somatic factors has been little illuminated due to the lack of a viable theory that would connect somatic signs with the psychodynamic profile of depression [8, 9].

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Lehtonen, J. et al. (2012). Toward Molecular Psychotherapy of Depression?. In: Levy, R., Ablon, J., Kächele, H. (eds) Psychodynamic Psychotherapy Research. Current Clinical Psychiatry. Humana Press, Totowa, NJ. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-60761-792-1_12

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