Cognitive approach in treating depression Flashcards
what is the cognitive approach for treating depression
CBT - cognitive behavioural therapy
what are the assumptions of CBT
- Through changing the way we think we can change the way we feel and the way we behave
- We can do this through practice- building up the necessary tools by analysing our beliefs, thoughts and feelings, and changing them.
what are the two main goals of CBT
- According to Beck’s cognitive triad, negative views of the self are the root of all depression. So CBT primarily sets out to increase self esteem
- Irrational and automatic thoughts are also key in causing depression, so CBT seeks to change the way people think- helping you think rationally and have more control over their cognition.
What are the characteristics of CBT
- Brief and Time-Limited. - Average # of sessions = 6
- Emphasis placed on current behaviour (not the past).
- CBT is a collaborative effort between the therapist and the client.
- Client role - define goals, express concerns, learn & implement learning
- Therapist role - help clients define goals, listen, teach, encourage.
- Teaches the benefit of remaining calm or at least neutral when faced with difficult situations
- Based on “rational thought.” - Facts, not assumptions.
- Homework is a central feature of CBT.
what does homework include in CBT
- Probably the most important CBT strategy is homework.
This can include such activities as: - Reading
- Practical Exercises
- Journaling
- Thought Stopping- ABCs- STOP THE ‘B’ (Ellis’s ABC model)
- Therapy sessions are really ‘training sessions’ between each session the client tries out and uses what they have learned.
ABC’S of CBT:
A = activating event
B = beliefs, thoughts, attitudes, assumptions
C = consequences, feelings, emotions, behaviours, actions
what are the ABC’s of CBT (Ellis’s model)
A = activating event
B = beliefs, thoughts, attitudes, assumptions
C = consequences, feelings, emotions, behaviours, actions
what is the +ve AO3 point for the cognitive approach in treating depression
Research support:
- There is an abundance of research support that shows CBT is the most effective psychological treatment for depression
→ this is why it’s offered and most widely used therapy internationally + free on NHS
- In a study by March in 2007 a psychologist compared success rates of treatments for CBT and found that CBT was just as successful as antidepressants (81% success rate for each)
what are the -ve AO3 points for the cognitive approach in treating depression
- Not consistently suitable - disorders
- Not consistently suitable - motivation
- Alternative explanations for success rate
- Ignoring the past
- Overemphasis on cognition
expand on the -ve AO3 point for the cognitive approach in treating depression, not consistently suitable - disorders
- people with psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia are unable to think rationally during an episode
- they need other forms of treatment such as medication first, before CBT can begin
expand on the -ve AO3 point for the cognitive approach in treating depression, not consistently suitable - motivation
- CBT cannot be used to treat all depressive patients successfully - suicidal people have given up so wouldn’t have the motivation to complete CBT
- Patients need to be motivated to get better - they need to want it to work
- Those who have no motivation and are so poor that they no longer care whether they recover so cannot benefit from CBT as it requires a collaborative effort between patient and therapist.
expand on the -ve AO3 point for the cognitive approach in treating depression, Alternative explanations for success rate
- All talking therapies have the same key component- the relationship between patient(client) and therapist
- Perhaps success rates are not useful comparisons because the deciding factor is not to do with the type of treatment but whether the relationship works.
- So it doesn’t make a difference whether I have CBT, SD, Psychoanalysis, person centred counselling - if I get on well with the therapist and I feel supported then it will work regardless.
expand on the -ve AO3 point for the cognitive approach in treating depression, Ignoring the past
- One key component of CBT is that we do not look into the client’s pasts.
- This becomes problematic if the client feels that the problems all stem from past events!
expand on the -ve AO3 point for the cognitive approach in treating depression, Overemphasis on cognition
- The assumption is that changing thoughts will cure depression.
- What happens if the problem lies in the client’s circumstances rather than their thoughts?
- A patient living in poverty or abuse needs to change their circumstances, not the way they think about it!
