Cognitive approach to depression

Question 1

What does the cognitive approach assume?

Answer 1

Assumes that behaviours are controlled by thoughts and beliefs

Question 2

What do irrational thoughts and beliefs cause?

Answer 2

Abnormal behaviours

Question 3

There are several models which explain how faulty cognitions can lead to depression. What are these?

Answer 3

Ellis’s ABC model

Backs negative triad

Question 4

Who proposed the ABC model?

Answer 4

Ellis 1962

Question 5

What does Ellis abc model claim?

Answer 5

Disorders begin with an activating event (e.g failed exam)
This may be rational (I didn’t prepare enough) or irrational (I am too stupid to pass exams) this belief then leads to a consequence.
Rational beliefs produced an appropriate consequence (more revision)
Irrational beliefs cause inappropriate consequences (getting depressed)

Question 6

Who identified the negative triad of automatic thoughts linked to depression?

Answer 6

Beck 1963

Question 7

What were the negative views about,

Answer 7

Themselves
The world
The future

Question 8

The cognitively explanation of depression has strengths and weaknesses what are the strengths?

Answer 8

Offers a useful approach to depression as it considers the thoughts and beliefs which are greatly involved in problems like depression
Cognitive therapies have successfully treated depression (CBT)

Question 9

What are the weaknesses of the cognitive explanation for depression,

Answer 9

Faulty cognitions may be the consequence of depression rather than the cause
The person could begin to feel as though he or she is the ok blame for their problems

Question 10

What does CBT aim to do?

Answer 10

Aims to identify and change the persons faulty cognitions

Question 11

what is the idea of cognitive behaviour therapy?

Answer 11

the idea is that the patients learn how to notice negative thoughts when they have them and test how accurate they are

Question 12

what happens during CBT (5 STEPS)?

Answer 12

1. The patient and client identify clients faulty cognition’s
2. the therapist then tries to help the client to see that these cognition’s aren’t true
3. together they then set goals to think more positive
4. although the client may need to look back on past experiences the treatment mainly focuses on present situation
5. therapists sometimes encourage patients to keep a diary - record thoughts and feelings

Question 13

what are the advantages of CBT?

Answer 13

1. it empowers patient -puts them in charge of their own treatment
2. DeRubis et al (2005) compared CBT and drig therapy as depression treatments in a placebo controlled trial - both treatments were more effective than the placebo after 8 weeks
3. Brandsma et al found that CBT is particularly effective for people who put alot of pressure on themselves and feel guilty about being inadequate

Question 14

what are the disadvantages of CBT ?

Answer 14

1. may take a long time and be costly
2. the person could feel like they are reponsible for their phobias
3. As derubis et al found CBT will only work if the therapist is experienced