Depression

Question 1

Behavioural characteristics of Depression

Answer 1

• change in activity levels: lack of energy
• disruption to sleep: sleep may reduce

Question 2

Cognitive characteristics of Depression

Answer 2

• poor levels of concentration: unable to stick to a task as they usually would
• Negative schema: ignoring positives

Question 3

emotional characteristics of Depression

Answer 3

• lowered mood: feeling sad
• anger towards others or self

Question 4

Describe Becks negative triad (negative thoughts)

Answer 4

• consistent negative thinking can make a vulnerable to depression
• proposed the negative triad
• 3 kinds of negative thinking:
• world: “world is a hard place”
• future: “i will never achieve anything”
• self: “i am worthless”

Question 5

Ellis ABC Model (irrational thoughts)

Answer 5

• there is an activating event - external event such as a loss of a job.
• can trigger irrational belief, EG: must always achieve perfection (musterbation) and a belief life should be fair (utopianism)
• when triggered theres consequences (depression)

Question 6

AO3 for cognitive approach explaining depression

Answer 6

Cohen et al (Beck only)

• tracked development of 473 adolescents measuring cog vulnerability
• Found cog vuln predicted depression later
• supporting assoc betw CV (negative thinking) suggesting neg triad is approp explanation

Prac Apps

• principle depression caused by (-), irrational thought processing led to treatment CBT.
• effective treating depression, change irrational to rational via disputing
• Therefore import part of appl psych

Cause and effect cant be established

• (-) can be linked to depression cannot be concluded whether irrational thoughts cause it or if a consequence
• Therefore argued cant be seen as full explanation

Question 7

Describe CBT

Answer 7

• method treating mental health disorders based on cog + beh techniques
• cog aim: client+therapist work together identify irrational thoughts that cause depresion challenged to make them more positive
• beh aim: change (-),irrational put more effective beh in place
• Empirical disputing: ask for evidence of (-) belief, may ask to keep diary to later challenge
• Beh activation: be more active, improve mood

Question 8

AO3 for Cog treatment CBT

Answer 8

effectiveness RTS from March

• studied adolescents w depression
• found 81% improved after CBT
• 86% improved w CBT + antidepressants
• challenging (-) thoughts reduce depressive symptoms
• Therefore CBT popular choice of treatment
• HOWEVER: Luborsky, speak to someone better

requires motivation and commitment

• attend sesh over time+complete homework
• issue as ppl w depression lack motivation reducing effectiveness of CBT
• Further: CBT more effective w antidepressants as drugs reduce symptoms client more motivated

Focuses on clients present and future than past

• some clients aware of link betw childhood and past experiences and current depression not talk about experiences
• find present-future focus frustrating
• reduce effectiveness of CBT