Depression

Question 1

Depression definition

Answer 1

A mental disorder characterised by low mood

Question 2

What are the behavioural characteristics of depression (3)

Answer 2

Activity levels
Disruption to sleep and eating patterns
Agression/ self-harm

Question 3

What are the emotional characteristics of depression (3)

Answer 3

Anger
Lowered mood
Lowered self-esteem

Question 4

What are the cognitive characteristics of depression (3)

Answer 4

Poor concentration
Tending to and dwelling on the negative
Absolutist thinking

Question 5

What are the two ways of explaining depression

Answer 5

Beck’s Negative triad
Ellis’s ABC model

Question 6

Beck’s negative triad

Answer 6

Negative Triad- negative view of self, world and future

Question 7

Faulty information processing

Answer 7

Attending to the negative aspects of a situation

Question 8

Negative self schema

Answer 8

Negative information about ourselves is accessed whenever we encounter a self relevant situation

Question 9

Beck’s Negative triad evaluation points- Research support

Answer 9

STRENGTH

Research shows cognitive vulnerability precedes depression

Question 10

Beck’s Negative triad evaluation points- Real world application

Answer 10

LIMITATION

Identify cognitive vulnerability to screen those at risk of depression, then target vulnerabilities in CBT

Question 11

Beck’s Negative triad evaluation points- Partial explanation

Answer 11

LIMITATION

Explains patterns of cognition but cannot easily explain extremes of anger or hallucinations and delusions

Question 12

Ellis’s ABC model

Answer 12

Activating event (negative life event)
Beliefs (irrational beliefs- musturbation and utopianism)
Consequences (depression)

Question 13

Ellis’s ABC model evaluation points- Real world application

Answer 13

STRENGTH

Irrational thoughts can be identified and challenged by a therapist

Question 14

Ellis’s ABC model evaluation points- Reactive and endogenous depression

Answer 14

LIMITATION

Only explains reactive depression does not explain cases that do not follow an activating event (endogenous depression)

Question 15

Ellis’s ABC model evaluation points- Ethical issues

Answer 15

LIMITATION

ABC model places responsibility on the depressed person but the therapy derived from the model (REBT) does create resilience

Question 16

Cognitive behaviour therapy

Answer 16

• Beck
• Aims to identify negative thoughts (negative triad) and challenge them
• Client as the scientist
• Homework- keep a diary

Question 17

Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT)

Answer 17

• Ellis
• ABC model + Dispute & Effect
• Aims to identify sand challenge irrational beliefs
• Arguing (empirical)

Question 18

Cognitive behaviour therapy evaluation points- Evidence for effectiveness

Answer 18

STRENGTH

CBT is an effective as antidepressants, most effective combined

Question 19

Cognitive behaviour therapy evaluation points- Suitability for diverse clients

Answer 19

LIMITATION

May not be suitable for severe cases of depression or for people with learning disabilities

Question 20

Cognitive behaviour therapy evaluation points- Relapse rates

Answer 20

LIMITATION

Benefits of short term, 42% relapsed after 6 months and 53% within a year