Self-Management of Depression

Problem-solving is a popular modality of psychotherapy and is also conceptualized as a brief skills-oriented training program. A problem is a real or perceived imbalance or discrepancy between the demands of a situation and one’s coping ability and reactions (Nezu et al., 1989). Problem-solving skills are not personality traits but social skills that can be learned. Successful problem-solving involves not only the right kind of orientation but also an adaptive style (Nezu et al., 2013). Problem-Solving Orientation Problem-solving orientation refers to an individual’s beliefs, attitudes, and emotional reactions to problems, as well as one’s ability to cope with them. Research has shown that there are two types of problem-solving orientation – positive and negative. 1. Positive problem-solving orientation View a problem as a challenge rather than a threat Be realistically optimistic in believing that problems are solvable Have the self-confidence in one’s ability to cope with problems Un...