Exploring Memory Interventions in Depression through Lifelogging Lens

Abstract

Depression is a major affective disorder with significant socio-economic cost. Distinctive autobiographical memory impairments in depression include overgeneralization, negative-bias, and repetitive negative thinking. A few psychotherapeutic interventions have been purposefully designed to address these impairments, albeit they benefit from limited technological support. This paper reports an analysis of four memory-based interventions proven effective in the therapeutic practice targeting depression. We also explored the memory impairments addressed by these interventions. Our findings led to three design implications for digital tools in this space. We suggest the value of supporting enriched positive memory recall, negative memory reappraisal, and future episodic imagination.