depression

Question 1

What are some behavioral characteristics of depression?

Answer 1

Depressed individuals often exhibit low energy, reduced activity, and decreased social interaction. They may also have irregular sleep patterns (either sleeping too much or too little) and experience changes in weight due to over- or under-eating.

Question 1

What are the emotional characteristics of depression?

Answer 1

People with depression experience persistent feelings of sadness and hopelessness, feelings of worthlessness, and a lack of enthusiasm. These low moods may come and go in cycles lasting months or years.

Question 2

What cognitive characteristics are associated with depression?

Answer 2

People with depression may have exaggerated or delusional negative thoughts about themselves and what others think of them. They might also struggle with concentration and memory and frequently think about death and suicide.

Question 3

What is Beck’s triad theory?

Answer 3

Beck’s triad is a cognitive explanation for depression, consisting of negative self-schemas, cognitive biases, and the negative triad itself. It suggests that depressed individuals have negative views of themselves, the world, and the future.

Question 4

What are negative self-schemas according to Beck? when do they develop?

Answer 4

Negative self-schemas are patterns of negative thinking about oneself that develop over time, often through childhood experiences like criticism or rejection.

Question 5

What are cognitive biases, and how do they relate to depression?

Answer 5

Cognitive biases are exaggerated thought patterns that develop as people become adults. Examples include overgeneralizing (making sweeping conclusions) and catastrophizing (believing minor incidents are disasters). These biases maintain the negative triad in depression.

Question 6

What are the three components of Beck’s negative triad?

Answer 6

The three components are a negative view of oneself, a negative view of the world, and a negative view of the future.

Question 7

What does Ellis’ ABC model emphasize?

Answer 7

Ellis’ ABC model emphasizes the contrast between rational and irrational thoughts in the development of depression.

Question 8

What are the three components of Ellis’ ABC model?

Answer 8

The three components are:
A: Activating Event (an event that occurs in someone’s life).
B: Beliefs (thoughts in response to the activating event, which can be rational or irrational).
C: Consequences (negative feelings resulting from irrational beliefs).

Question 9

What does the beliefs in Ellis’ ABC model act as?

Answer 9

A connecting bridge between the activating event and the consequence

Question 10

What is musturbatory thinking according to Ellis?

Answer 10

Musturbatory thinking is the belief that certain criteria must be met for an individual to be happy, such as “I must do very well, or I am worthless.”

Question 11

What role does musturbatory thinking play in depression?

Answer 11

Causes irrational beliefs

Question 12

What does musturbatory thinking lead to?

Answer 12

This type of thinking often leads to disappointment and negative emotions.

Question 13

What supporting evidence exists for Ellis’ ABC model?

Answer 13

Taghavi et al. (2006) found that depressed patients scored higher in irrational beliefs compared to a control group. Misla et al. (2016) conducted a meta-analysis showing a positive association between irrational beliefs and stress/depression, supporting the role of cognition in depression.

Question 14

What is a strength of Taghavis study particularly?

Answer 14

Was conducted in Iran as a replication of research from western cultures, showing how cognitive explanations can be applied cross culturally

Question 15

How has Ellis’ ABC model been practically applied?

Answer 15

Ellis’ ABC model has been used to develop Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which challenges irrational thoughts and helps people improve their mental health. This therapy is widely used and effective, supporting the cognitive explanation for depression.

Question 16

What is a major limitation of the cognitive approach to depression?

Answer 16

A major limitation is that it blames the patient rather than considering situational factors. This approach may overlook important external influences, such as domestic abuse, which require addressing the situation rather than just changing thought patterns.

Question 17

How does the biological explanation challenge the cognitive explanation of depression?

Answer 17

The biological explanation suggests that depression can be linked to low levels of serotonin, as evidenced by the effectiveness of SSRIs (antidepressants). This indicates that biological processes also play a significant role in depression, suggesting that a combined approach may be more comprehensive.

Question 18

What evidence supports the use of CBT in treating depression? Describe in detail.

Answer 18

Supporting evidence comes from a study by March et al. (2007), which examined 327 patients diagnosed with major depressive disorder. They found that after 12 weeks, 48% of patients treated with CBT alone showed improvement, 62% with drug therapy alone, and 75% with a combined approach. After 36 weeks, the improvement rates were 86% for CBT alone, 81% for drug therapy, and 81% for the combined approach.

Question 19

What does the supporting evidence for CBT suggest

Answer 19

This demonstrates the long-term effectiveness of CBT, especially in comparison to biological treatments which are short term

Question 20

What are some limitations of CBT for treating depression?

Answer 20

One limitation is individual differences. CBT may not be suitable for all patients, as evidenced by the March et al. study, where it took 24 weeks for CBT to match the improvement seen with drug treatments. Additionally, the commitment and motivation required for CBT may be challenging for depressed patients, making it difficult for some to stick with the therapy for an extended period.

Question 21

How does CBT compare with drug treatments regarding side effects?

Answer 21

CBT contrasts favorably with drug treatments as it does not have any negative side effects. In contrast, drug treatments can have side effects, issues with dosage levels, and withdrawal challenges when patients are gradually weaned off the medication.

Question 22

Why might drug treatments be considered more effective than CBT in some cases?

Answer 22

Drug treatments often work much quicker than CBT and do not require the same level of motivation and commitment. This makes them a more effective option for some patients, especially those who may struggle with the demands of CBT.

Question 23

In what way can CBT be more empowering for patients compared to drug treatments?

Answer 23

CBT can be more empowering because it involves patients actively working to challenge and change their thoughts, giving them a sense of control over their depression. In contrast, drug treatments involve a more passive process where patients rely on medication to take effect, which may not provide the same sense of personal empowerment.

Question 24

What is a potential drawback of the passive nature of drug treatments for depression?

Answer 24

The passive nature of drug treatments means patients are not actively involved in their treatment process, which can limit their sense of control over their condition. This lack of active engagement can make them feel less empowered compared to the active participation required in CBT.