Sichuan Mental Health 2025;38(2):97-101

doi:10.11886/scjsws20250304004

Complex systems approach to mechanisms of depression, anxiety, and psychological interventions strategies

Mo CHEN 1 ; Songli RUAN 2 ; Xinghua LIU 1

Affiliations

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Keywords

Complex systems; Depression disorder; Anxiety disorder; Transdiagnostic psychotherapies

Country

China

Language

Chinese

Abstract

Systems theory emphasizes the multidimensional interactions among elements within a system and their dynamic changes over time, to provide a crucial theoretical framework and analytical tools for investigating the onset and evolution of mental disorders. From a complex systems perspective, this review examines the influence of multi-factor interaction networks on the development of depressive and anxiety disorders, and reviews research progress on early-warning signals based on dynamical systems theory for symptom prediction. This study specifically examines two system-oriented psychological interventions: acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and mindfulness-based intervention for emotional distress (MIED). Building upon their respective psychopathological models, this review elucidates the multifactorial interaction of depressive and anxiety disorders at a transdiagnostic level, and further analyzes the mechanism through which core intervention strategies adjust the key factors to achieve clinical improvement. [Funded by General Projects of National Natural Science Foundation of China (number, 32371138)]