Cognitive approach to treating depression

Question 1

What is cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)?

Answer 1

-Cognitive element: identify the patients negative or irrational beliefs and change them/disprove them
-Behavioural element: change the negative beliefs and replace them with healthy and effective behaviours - behavioural activation

Question 2

What is Ellis’ Rational Emotive Therapy?

Answer 2

-Extends ABC model to ABC-Dispute-Effect
-central component of REBT is vigorous argument/ dispute of irrational beliefs
- break the link between negative events and depression

Question 3

What are the 2 types of dispute in REBT?

Answer 3

-logical argument: involved disputing whether the negative event logically follows from fact
-empirical argument: involves disputing whether their is actual evidence to support the belief

Question 4

What is behavioural activation?

Answer 4

-Therapist encourages patient to engage in enjoyable activities or exercise to provide more evidence for irrational nature of
beliefs
-reduce avoidance behaviour

Question 5

What are the strengths of CBT and REBT?

Answer 5

-Evidence for effectiveness: John March et al. (2007) compared CBT to anti-depressants and a combination of both when treating 327 adolescents. After 36 weeks,81% of CBT and 81% of antidepressants and 86% in both group significantly improved

Question 6

-What are the weaknesses of CBT and REBT?

Answer 6

Not suitable for learning disabilities: Peter Sturmey (2005) suggested that in any form psychotherapy is not suitable for those with learning disabilities as it may be too complex
However: John Taylor et al. (2008) concluded that when used appropriately it is appropriate for people with learning disabilities

-Relapse rates: Shehzad Ali et al. (2007) assessed depression in 439 clients every month for 12 months following a CBT course.
-42% of the clients relapsed into depression within 6 months and 53% within a year