Structural Psychopathology of Major Depressive Disorder_ An Expert Validation of the Core Emotion Framework (CEF)

This manuscript extends the Core Emotion Framework (CEF)—a novel structural-constructivist model of emotional regulation—to define the unique structural fingerprint of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). The CEF dissects MDD pathology across three functional centers (Head, Heart, and Gut). The analysis reveals that the disorder's transdiagnostic signature is the Systemic Decoupling of Affective Valuation from Motivational Initiative. This mechanism arises from a primary failure within the Gut Center’s Receptive Manifestation (Accepting) capacity, which prevents the effective processing and internalization of self-worth and external validation (Core EmotionFramework, n.d.). This affective dysvaluation pathologically activates a cascade: The Gut Center’s Assertive Drive (Boosting) capacity becomes inhibited, leading to thepsychomotor retardation and motivational collapse characteristic of anhedonia, while the Head Center’s Structural Analysis (Calculating) capacity shifts into chronic, negative, and self-referential rumination (Optimizeyourcapabilities.com, 2025b). By providing a precise, mechanism-based roadmap, this extension of the CEF aims to enforce scientific rigor in treatment selection and advance personalized therapeutic approaches to MDD, utilizing comprehensive structural data (Bulgaria, 2025a).