Cognitive Approach to Treating Depression Flashcards
Outline the cognitive approach to treating depression
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is used to treat mental health disorders with a cognitive viewpoint. It is suggested that negative and irrational thoughts make an individual more vulnerable to depression. In CBT, the client and therapist work together to identify negative and irrational thoughts that cause depression and challenge them into positive rational thoughts. Empirical disputing is used to challenge these thoughts. The therapist will ask for evidence to support the negative and irrational thoughts so will ask the client to complete homework by keeping s diary to test the reality of their beliefs. Then, the therapist uses this to challenge the clients beliefs and prove that their statements are incorrect. In addition to this, behavioural activation is used to encouraged the depressed individual to be more active by engaging in activities that they once enjoyed - this will help to improve the persons mood and reduce negative thoughts. CBT is practised with the therapist but the client will become more independent and can use these strategies in the real world and gain control over their depressed thoughts.
Discuss the cognitive approach to treating depression (3 X AO3)
Research to support the effectiveness of CBT comes from March. He studied adolescents with depression and found that 81% of their symptoms had significantly improved after CBT and 86% had improved if CBT was combined with antidepressants. This suggests that challenging irrational/negative thoughts can provide a reduction in depressive symptoms. Therefore, CBT is a popular choice of treatment for depression for the NHS.
One limitation of CBT as a treatment for depression is that it requires motivation and commitment from patients to attend sessions over a period of time; and to complete their homework, for example keeping a diary, and engaging in activities they once enjoyed. This is an issue as individuals with depression often lack motivation, this may reduce the effectiveness of CBT as a treatment for depression.
Another potential limitation of CBT as a treatment for depression is it’s focus on the client’s present and future, rather than past. Some client’s may be aware of a link between their childhood and past experiences and current depression, and they may want to talk about their experiences. They may find the ‘present-future’ focus frustrating and therefore this may reduce the effectiveness as CBT as a treatment for depression.
