Depression

Behavioral Activation

Small action first, motivation follows.

Behavioral Activation

What it is

Behavioral Activation is an evidence-backed CBT intervention for depression and low motivation that uses scheduled, small activities to reverse the cycle of withdrawal and low mood.

Why it works

When mood is low, waiting to feel motivated before acting keeps you trapped in inactivity. Behavioral activation works on the principle that action generates motivation, not the other way around:

Interactive Shift

Behavioral Activation Shift

Unhelpful Cognitive LoopMotivation Trap

I don't have the energy to do anything today, so I'll wait until I feel better.

Practicing with Camic

Camic helps you break large tasks down into impossibly small, achievable steps and schedule them based on pleasure and mastery ratings.

Applied in real situations

Sources

Jacobson, N.S., Martell, C.R., & Dimidjian, S. (2001). Behavioral activation treatment for depression: Returning to contextual roots. Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice, 8(3), 255–270. Dimidjian, S. et al. (2006). Randomized trial comparing behavioral activation, cognitive therapy, and antidepressant medication. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 74(4), 658–670.