depression Flashcards
behavioural characteristics of depression
- activity levels - typically have reduced levels of energy and this has knock on effects of withdrawing from work, education and social life.
- disruption to sleep and eating behaviour - reduced sleep or increased need for sleep, reduced or increased appetite
- aggression and self harm - verbal or physically aggressive. physical aggression directed at themselves with self harm in the form of cutting or suicide attempts
emotional characteristics of depression
- lowered mood - feeling worthless and empty
- anger - negative emotions, directed at self or others
- lowered self esteem - do not like themselves
cognitive characteristics of depression
- poor concentration
- dwelling on the negative
- absolutist thinking - ‘black and white thinking’
describe the cognitive approach to explaining depression
cognitive approach suggests depression is the result of a disturbance in thinking
what does beck suggest about cognitive vulnerability
suggests some people are more vulnerable to depression than others. Three parts to this cognitive vulnerability are
1. faulty information processing - people who are depressed make fundamental errors in logic, thinking in black and white
2. negative self schemas - a self schema is a package of ideas we have about ourselves. People who are depressed have developed negative self schemas and interpret all information about themselves in a negative way
3. the negative triad - negative view of the self leads to negative view of the future leads to negative view of the world. people become trapped in a cycle of negative thoughts
one strength of cognitive explanation for depression
there is research evidence for Beck’s idea of ‘cognitive vulnerability’. Research study followed the development of around 400 adolescents and those who showed cognitive vulnerability predicted to develop later depression.
one strength of cognitive explanation for depression (practical application)
practical application - CBT
Forms the basis for cognitive behavioural therapy, where all cognitive aspects of depression are identified and challenged. Translates well into a successful therapy
weakness of cognitive explanation
only offers a partial explanation. some aspects of depression such as anger cannot be explained through Beck’s cognitive approach
what did Ellis suggest depression is a result of
said depression results from irrational thoughts. Used the ABC model to explain how irrational thoughts affect our behaviour and emotional state.
what is the A in Ellis’ ABC model
A - activating event : we get depressed when we experience negative events and these trigger irrational beliefs. Events like ending a relaitionship might trigger irrational beliefs.
what is the B
Beliefs
Ellis identified a range of irrational beliefs:
- we must always succeed
- it is a major disaster if something goes wrong
- life is always meant to be fair
what is the C
Consequences
when an activating event triggers an irrational belief there are emotional and behavioural consequences. - eg triggering depression
weakness of Ellis’ ABC model (partial explanation)
psychologists call depression that occurs from a triggering event ‘reactive depression’ and this is different than depression that arises without an obvious cause. This means that Ellis’s explanation only applies to some kinds of depression and is therefore only a partial explanation.
Strength of Ellis’s ABC model (practical application)
lead to a successful therapy. By challenging irrational negative beliefs, a person can reduce their depression is supported by research evidence.
limitation (aspects of depression)
doesnt explain all aspects of depression like anger or that some suffer hallucinations or delusions,
