People with depressive moods interpret and store the past differently than their healthy peers. The autobiographical memory of people with depressive moods has pitfalls that lead to increased vulnerability:

• People with a depressed mood tend to have easier access to and a greater tendency to recall negative memories, which makes them look at themselves, the world and the future with a distinctly gloomy outlook.
• A second pitfall is known as positive memories with few details and devoid of vibrancy.
• People with a depressed mood have an exaggerated tendency to translate the past into generalized, overarching terms and themes that are primarily negative in nature.
• A fourth memory trap causes us to experience emotional experiences, both positive and negative, primarily from a detached, observational perspective.

These four memory traps consistently hinder access to self-enhancing, positive experiences. This blocks a key mechanism for emotional regulation, making it harder for people to cope with daily challenges and worries. Consulting with a professional can help people with depressive moods learn to avoid these memory traps.