In Brief

Finding the right treatment: Attachment as a guide

It's known that several kinds of psychotherapy are effective treatments for depression, but little is known about which ones are best for which patients. A study conducted at the University of Toronto suggests that it may help to consider attachment styles — the patterns of feeling, thought, and behavior that develop as we learn, mainly through childhood experiences, to balance the need for support with the desire for independence.

According to attachment theory, secure attachment in adult life is based on a deep conviction that others will be available for support when needed. Insecure attachment takes several forms; in this study, the researchers compared attachment anxiety with attachment avoidance.