Symptom networks can have contagion effects where activation spreads through the network §

Date created: 2021-11-10

Strongly inter-connected symptom networks are vulnerable to a ‘contagion’ effect of spreading activation through the network (‘connectivity hypothesis’).

When symptom activation becomes widespread, it will persist even when the initial stressor is removed.

Seen in Blanken2019 - Introducing Network Intervention Analysis to Investigate Sequential, Symptom-Specific Treatment Effects, A Demonstration in Co-Occurring Insomnia and Depression

---

References §

• Robinaugh2020 - The network approach to psychopathology, a review of the literature 2008-2018 and an agenda for future research referencing early Borsboom 2008