5.3 Depression Flashcards
What is depression?
A mental disorder characterised by low mood and energy levels
What are 3 behavioural characteristics of depression?
- Activity levels: withdraw from social/work life or psychomotor agitation (pacing up and down)
- Disruption to sleep and eating
- Aggression and self harm
What are 3 emotional characteristics of depression?
- Lowered mood
- Anger
- Lowered self esteem
What are 3 cognitive characteristics of depression?
- Poor concentration
- Attending to/dwelling on negative
- Absolutist thinking: view as all-good or all-bad
What is faulty information processing?
When people attend to the negative aspects of a situation and ignore positives
What is negative self schema?
When one interprets all information about themselves in a negative way
Describe the aspects of Becks negative triad
- Negative view of the world
- Negative view of the future
- Negative view of the self
What does Becks negative triad suggest?
A person develops a dysfunctional view of themselves because of negative thinking that occurs automatically, regardless of the reality
Two strengths for Becks negative triad
1. Research support
‘Cognitive vulnerability’=ways of thinking that predispose to depression, Clark + Beck (1999) concluded faulty information, negative schema and triad common in depressed and preceded disorder, Cohen et al (2019): 473 measured for cognitive vulnerability and found it predicted later depression
2. Real world application
Application in screening and treatment, Cohen et al: assessing cognitive vulnerability allows psychologists to screen adolescents identifying those at risk + monitoring them, useful in CBT- alter cognitions that create vulnerability, useful in more than one aspect of clinical practice
Describe Ellis’s ABC model
A - Activating event (negative events trigger irrational beliefs)
B - Beliefs
C - Consequences
One strength and two limitations of ABC model
1. Real world application
Model has contributed to treatment e.g REBT, arguing against a persons irrational beliefs can alter them, evidence that REBT can change beliefs + relieve symptoms of depression, real world value
2. Reactive and endogenous depression
Only explains reactive depression (following activating events), many cases of depression not traceable to life events (endogenous) so causes not obvious, model can only explain some cases, partial explanation
3. Ethical issues
Locates responsibility for illness purely with depressed person, unfair approach, placing blame
What is the ABC model used to explain?
How irrational thoughts affect our behaviour and emotional state
What is cognitive behavioural therapy?
A psychological therapy that combines behavioural and cognitive approaches
Describe the method of Becks cognitive therapy
- Identify patients view of oneself, world and future (negative triad)
- Identified thoughts challenged (central component)
- Encourages patients to test the reality of their negative beliefs e.g set homework to record joyful event or nice interaction (if they believe no one is nice to them)
What is REBT?
- Extension of ABC model: includes D-dispute, E-effect
- Used to identify and dispute irrational thoughts
What were the 3 irrational beliefs identified by Ellis?
- Musturbation: must always succeed + achieve perfection
- I-cant-stand-it-itis: situations are a major disaster
- Utopianism: life must always be fair
What is logical dispute?
Involves disputing whether negative thought logically follows facts
What is empirical dispute?
Involves disputing whether there is actual evidence to support the negative belief
What is behavioural activation?
Aims to gradually decrease patients avoidance and isolation, and increase engagement in activities that improve mood e.g exercise
One strength and two limitations for treating depression
1. Evidence for effectiveness
March et al (2007): compared CBT to antidepressants and a combination of both in adolescents, after 36 weeks 81% CBT, 81% antidepressant, 86% combination group significantly improved, CBT just as effective on its own and combined, CBT brief therapy with 6-12 sessions so cost effective, first choice of treatment in healthcare systems e.g NHS
2.Suitability for diverse clients
Not effective for severe cases + learning disabilities, those with severe depression cannot motivate themselves/engage with cognitive work of CBT, low attention as involves rational thinking, Sturmey (2005): any form of psychotherapy not suitable for people with learning disabilities
3. Relapse rates
Concerns over how long benefits last, recent studies suggest long term outcomes not as good as assumed, Ali et al (2017): assessed depression in clients each month for 12 months following CBT 42% relapsed within 6 months and 53% relapsed within a year, means CBT may need to be repeated periodically
