Cognitive Approach- Treating Depression Flashcards
What is CBT?
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy- a method for treating mental disorders based on cognitive and behavioural techniques. Therapy aims to challenge negative thoughts, such as behavioural activation.
What is the cognitive element of CBT?
Assessment where the client and CBT therapist work together to clarify clients problem. Identify goals for therapy and put together a plan to achieve them. Identify negative or irrational thoughts is central.
What is the behavioural element of CBT?
Working to change negative and irrational thoughts, put more effective behaviours into play.
What is Becks Cognitive Therapy?
Negative triad- identify automatic thoughts about self, world and future. These thoughts must be challenged. Test reality of negative thoughts, set hw to record when they enjoyed an event “client as scientist”. Use evidence to prove clients statements incorrect.
What is Ellis’s REBT?
Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT).
Extends ABC model to include D and E, (dispute and effect) challenge irrational thoughts. A client may talk about how unfair things seem and a therapist would identify these as utopianism and challenge as an irrational belief. Change irrational belief to break link between negative life effects and depression. Use empirical argument (evidence) and logical (truth).
What is behavioural activation?
An individuals become depressed they avoid difficult situations and their symptoms worsen. Goal of behavioural activation is to gradually decrease avoidance and isolation engagement in activities to improve mood.
What is brief AO3?
- Evidence for effectiveness of CBT: March et al
- Lack of effectiveness for severe cases and those with learning difficulties HOWEVER, Lewis and Lewis, Taylor dispute this
- High relapse rates
What are strengths of CBT?
Evidence for effectiveness of CBT, March et al compared CBT to antidepressant drugs and to combination of both. When treating 327 depressed adolescents. After 36 weeks, 81% of CBT group, 81% of antidepressant group and 86% of CBT group had significantly improved. CBT just as effective on its own and more when used with antidepressants. CBT is a brief therapy (6-12 sessions) cost effective, CBT seen as first choice of treatment by NHS.
Q: What are two main weaknesses of CBT as a treatment for depression
CBT may not be suitable for all clients
Some clients with severe depression are so withdrawn or lack motivation that they may struggle to engage with CBT.
Clients with learning disabilities may also find it difficult to understand and apply CBT techniques (e.g. challenging irrational thoughts).
Supporting evidence: Sturmey (2005) argued that CBT is generally not effective for those with learning disabilities.
Counterpoint: More recent studies challenge this.
Lewis and Lewis (2016) found CBT to be as effective as antidepressants for severe depression.
Taylor et al. (2008) found CBT effective for people with learning disabilities when adapted appropriately. CBT may be more flexible and suitable for a broader range of clients than previously thought.
High relapse rates
Although CBT is effective in the short term, there is concern about long-term effectiveness.
Many clients relapse into depression within a year after completing CBT.
Supporting evidence: Shehzad Ali et al. (2017) found that 53% of CBT-treated patients relapsed within a year.
