How Do You Use The Reality Theory To Explain Depression?
Reality theory is an approach to mental health that seeks to reduce all human drives, wants and needs to five elements: power, belonging, freedom, fun and survival. All human action can be reduced to the human drive for these things, and the social nature of man derives from these needs. When any of these are not achieved, or the person thinks they are not achievable, depression sets in. See if the patient, first of all, feels out of control. This is one of the most essential parts of reality theory/therapy. A person may feel depressed if they think that others control them and they have no control over others. Ascertain if the patient feels unlovable and unloved. This is another means for depression to set in. For such cases, a strategy should be developed to meet new people and to build a real social life. A lack of love or social acceptance is an important cause of depression according to reality theory. See if the patient lacks real social attachments (or at least feels this way).
