title: Transdiagnostic Networks: Commentary on Nolen-Hoeksema and Watkins (2011).
abstract: Nolen-Hoeksema and Watkins (2011, this issue) propose a useful model for thinking about transdiagnostic processes involved in mental disorders. Here, we argue that their model is naturally compatible with a network account of mental disorders, in which disorders are viewed as sets of mutually reinforcing symptoms. We show that network models are typically transdiagnostic in nature, because different disorders often share symptoms. We illustrate this by constructing a network for generalized anxiety and major depression. In addition, we show that even a simple network structure naturally accounts for the phenomena of multifinality and divergent trajectories that Nolen-Hoeksema and Watkins identify as crucial in thinking about transdiagnostic phenomena.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands dennyborsboom@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Denny
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Borsboom
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Sacha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Epskamp
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Rogier A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Kievit
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Angélique O J
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Cramer
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Verena D
authors.initials: VD
authors.lastname: Schmittmann
keywords: anxiety; depression; scientific methodology; transdiagnostic networks