Table 8 Themes and quotes of ‘Personal coping’

Engaging in future thinking as a strategy to combat depression

“Imagine I meant to get from point A to B, I would stress a lot about GETTING to point B and not about the process of getting there, but now I’m just trying to enjoy the process of getting to point B. … I think it has allowed me to take things slow, and not want to rush to get to a specific place. Before, I would get more stressed if I didn’t get specific things done on time. Now, I’m a lot calmer about it.” [06; female, 19, subclinical depression and anxiety]

Scientific thinking, to challenge perception with evidence

“I’m a lot more scientific in my thinking in terms of basing it on evidence. I try to combat any worries and fears I have with what I have in front of me, so exams, for example, I’m starting to worry about my exam and I’m like, ‘what if I fail?’ But then I look at all the work I’ve done, and all the revisions and all the plans I’ve made for it, and I’m like, ‘well, there’s still a possibility it’s more unlikely’, to use that as a reassurance.” [05; female, 19, clinical depression and anxiety]