People with depression are more likely to recall general memories. General memories refer to something that has happened more often, without recalling a specific instance, such as "when I have friends around me" or "when friends abandon me.".

An "overgeneral memory" hinders problem-solving. To solve a problem, you must be able to rely on concrete information from specific memories of situations where you solved similar problems. Overgeneral memories can also make your vision of the future vague and general, further fueling feelings of hopelessness.

Research shows that there are multiple causes of this "overgeneral memory." People with depression may frequently worry, also known as "rumination," which causes them to think more generally. It can also be seen as a kind of (cognitive) avoidance strategy to avoid painful feelings associated with recalling very concrete (specific) negative memories. It is therefore not surprising that people who have experienced traumatic events in their past are often characterized by this overgeneral memory style.

Edited text from Cognitive Therapy by F. Raes, M. Kindt, and A. Arntz.