New Psychotherapies That Focus on Positive Experiences Could Better Treat Depression and Anxiety

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CBT is the gold standard therapy for treating depression and anxiety, one or both of which will afflict around 20 percent of people during their lifetime. It may be the best remedy we have, a growing number of scientists say, but it doesn’t help everyone. Research shows that only half of patients benefit and that only half of those who do benefit do so long-term. CBT does reduce symptoms such as low mood and fearfulness. For many, however, it doesn’t restore positive feelings such as happiness or excitement.

“We had always assumed that by reducing negative emotions—anger, fear, anxiety, sadness—the natural consequence would be for positive emotions to rise on their own,” says clinical psychologist Michelle Craske of the University of California, Los Angeles. “And they don’t—well, not reliably.”

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One new tool to target contrast avoidance is an experimental phone counseling app called SkillJoy. Created by Skidmore College psychologist Lucas LaFreniere and Pennsylvania State University psychologist Michelle Newman, the app prompts users to notice and savor positive experiences throughout the day and, despite discomfort, to stay with the good feelings as long as possible. In a randomized clinical trial that compared the tool against an app that did not encourage savoring, SkillJoy significantly reduced contrast avoidance.

Read the whole story (subscription may be required): Scientific American