Cognitive approach to treating depression

Question 1

what is the definition of cognitive behaviour therapy?

Answer 1

• a method for treating mental disorders based on both cognitive and behavioural techniques
• the cognitive viewpoint the therapy aims to deal with thinking such as challenging negative thoughts including behavioural techniques such as behavioural activation

Question 2

what is the definition of irrational thoughts?

Answer 2

-In Ellis’s model and therapy dysfunctional thoughts are defined as thoughts that are likely to interfere with a persons happiness such thoughts lead to mental disorders like depression

Question 3

How does CBT work?

Answer 3

Patient + treater work together to identify the issue, identify goals and plan of action.
Seeks to identify irrational thoughts & challenge them

Question 4

What is Beck’s cognitive therapy?

Answer 4

Applying Beck’s theory of depression
Identify irrational thought in the negative triad and challenge them
Help patients test the reality of beliefs

Question 5

What is Ellis’ rational emotive behaviour therapy?

Answer 5

Extended ABCDE - d is disputed and E is effect

Ellis seeks to identify irrational thoughts disputes then vigorously and see the effects

Question 6

What is behavioural activation?

Answer 6

When the therapist encourages a depressed patient to be more active and engage in enjoyable activities - more evidence to challenge irrational beliefs

Question 7

What are the evaluation points for the cognitive approach to treating depression?

Answer 7

+ effective - March et al. in 2007

• CBT may not work for extreme cases - patients cannot motivate themselves to engage with the therapist
• the success may be due to the therapist-patient relationship rather than the technique. Differences between CBT & SD are small - common thing is patient - therapist relationship