Thursday, June 23, 2022

Learned helplessness and depression

 Powell et al. define learned helplessness as, "A decrease in one's learning ability that has occurred due to a repeated exposure to an uncontrollable stimulus that produced adverse outcomes" (2017). Learned helplessness is a phenomena that can occur in not only adults, but animals as well. 

Learned helplessness can be present in many people with depression. They may feel as though no matter what they do, the feeling of despair and hopelessness will not go away. Therefore they stop trying to make positive changes in their life and continue on in a depressed state.  

Attending therapy, journaling, talking to loved ones, or even a simple walk can help stimulate the brain of those living with depression and can help the learned helplessness acquired, dissipate. 

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