Table 1 Description of common themes
Themes | Description |
|---|---|
DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS CREATE CONFLICT | Symptoms are identified as abnormal. Participants express fears that symptoms threaten their identity and important goals |
AVOIDANCE | Participants cope with identity and goal conflict by avoiding their symptoms and using psychological strategies to reduce the perceived threat to goals. The avoidance of symptoms was the primary cause of help-seeking delay |
ACCEPTANCE | Participants stop avoiding their symptoms and begin to make decisions about seeking help. Identity and goals begin to change to accommodate the experience of depression. |