Cogntive Approach To Treating Depression Flashcards
Outline cognitive behaviour therapy to treating depression
-Method for treating mental disorders
-cognitive approach to treatment, but includes behavioural elements
-cognitively tries to challenge -ve viewpoints
Whats the cognitive element and behavioural element of CBT
Cognitive: begins w/ assessment in which client and CB therapist work to clarify problems
Goals identified for therapy
Central task to identify where there may be -ve/irrational thoughts
Behavioural: CBT then works to change -ve irrational thoughts to put more effective behaviour in place
What are irrational thoughts
Also called dysfunctional thoughts
Ellis model of therapy
-defined as likely to interfere w/ someone’s happiness leading to depression
Outline Becks cognitive therapy in treating depression
-application of his theory
-idea is to identify automatic thoughts about world, self, future (-ve triad)
-when identified , must be challenged + therapy aims to help clients test reality of -ve beliefs
-eg set hw to record when someone was nice to them, so in future sessions, if client say no one is nice to them/no point in enjoying themselves , then therapist can produce this evidence + use to prove clients statements = incorrect
Outline Ellis’s REBT in treating depression
-REBT extends ABC model to ABCDE
-D=dispute E=effect
-central technique of REBT is to identify + dispute irrational thoughts
-eg client may say everything is unfair
-REBT therapist would identify these as egs of Utopianism, challenge as irrational -> argument
-intent to change belief to break link between -ve events and depression
-Ellis identified methods of disputing ->eg empirical argument - dispute - is there actual evidence to support -ve belief
-logical argument - disputing whether -ve thought logically follows from facts
What is meant by behavioural activation
-Depressed individuals tend to avoid tasks + become sooted, worsens symptoms
-goal of behaviour activation is to work w those who depressed to reduce their avoidance + isolation + increase their engagement in activities that lift mood like exercising
Whats a strength of CBT
Large body of evidence supporting effectiveness in treating
March et al. Compared CBT to antidepressants + combination of both
36 weeks after , 81% CBT group + antidepressant , 86% of both were significantly improved
CBT just as effective alone + other treatments
Only 6-12 sessions = cost-effective
CBT seen as 1st choice of treatment in NHS
Whats a limitation of CBT
Lack of effectiveness for severe clients w learning disabilities
Some can’t motivate themselves to engage w cognitive work of CBT -> X attention
Likely that complex rational thinking in CBT makes unsuitable for treating clients w learning difficulties
Sturmey suggests any form of psychotherapy (talking) X suitable for those e w/ LD - so CBT
CBT may only suit specific range of ppl w depression
Whats the counterpoint to lack of effectiveness for those w learning disabilities
Altho conventional wisdom has been that CBT = unsuitable for v depressed ppl, some recent evidence challenges this
Review by Lewis 2016 concluded CBT was as effective as antidepressants + behavioural therapy for severe depression
Another review by Taylor et al concluded that when used correctly, CBT=effective for those with LD
CBT may be useful for wider range than og thought
Whats a further limitation of CBT
Has high relapse rate
CBT effective at tackling symptoms, but some concern over length of benefits
Few studies of CBT for depression looked at long term effectiveness
Recent studies suggest long term outcomes X as good as assumed
Ali et al assessed depression in 439 clients every month for 1 year following a CBT course
42% relapsed w/in 6 months of ending treatment
53% relapsed in a year
CBT may need repeating periodically
