According to the psychoanalytic perspective, what causes depression?

The psychoanalytic perspective on depression emphasizes the importance of internal conflicts and unresolved issues stemming from early experiences or past relationships. According to this viewpoint, individuals may experience depression as a result of repressed emotions, conflicts between their conscious and unconscious mind, and struggles related to their identity or self-worth. This model suggests that unresolved issues, particularly those linked to significant figures in one's life or past traumas, can manifest emotionally as depression.

In contrast, while genetic predisposition, environmental stressors, and chemical imbalances are acknowledged in various psychological models, they do not capture the essence of the psychoanalytic approach which focuses on the internal psychological landscape and the dynamic interplay of thoughts and feelings that influence one's mental health. The psychoanalytic framework underscores that understanding an individual's emotional struggles requires delving into these deeper, often unconscious, processes rather than simply attributing them to external factors or biological changes.