Depression Flashcards
The cognitive approach to explaining depression : What was Beck’s explanation to depression ?
He named his approach the negative triad. He states that depression is caused by faulty information processing. Depressed people have a negative-self schema. A schema is a package of ideas and info developed through experience and we use it to interpret the world. So if someone has a negative one they have a negative view on the world. He said the negative triad consisted of : a negative view of the world, a negative view of the future and a negative view of themselves.
The cognitive approach to explaining depression : What is Ellis’ explanation of depression ?
Ellis used the explanation of the ABC model to explain depression. Ellis suggested that depression arises from irrational thoughts.
A stands for activating events. B stands for beliefs, so the irrational beliefs after a negative event. Then the C stands for consequences.
Name one strength AO3 for Beck’s model ?
P - One strength of Beck’s model is supporting research.
E - Beck concluded that cognitive vulnerabilities are common in depressed people. A recent study by Cohen tracked 473 adolescents’ development and found that early cognitive vulnerability predicted later depression.
E - This shows that there is an association between cognitive vulnerability and depression.
Name another strength AO3 of Beck’s mode?
P - Another strength is real-world application to screening for depression.
E - Assessing cognitive vulnerability in young people most at risk of developing depression means they can be monitored. Understanding cognitive vulnerability is applied in CBT to alter cognitions underlying depression.
E - This means that the idea of cognitive vulnerability is useful in clinical practice.
Name one strength AO3 of Ellis’ model?
P - One strength of Ellis’ model is its application in treating depression.
E - Ellis applied the ABC model to treating depression (REBT). Evidence of REBT changing negative beliefs and relief of the symptoms of depression.
E - This means that Ellis’ model has real world value.
Name one limitation AO3 of Ellis’ model?
P - One limitation is Ellis’ model only explains reactive depression.
E - Reactive depression refers to depression caused by an activating event. However, in many cases it is not obvious what triggers depression. Ellis’ model is less useful in explaining this.
E - This means that Ellis’ model can only explain some cases of depression.
The cognitive approach to treating depression : Explain Beck’s way of treating depression. ?
He went by it by challenging negative thoughts. The client and therapists must identify their negative triad and take an active role by challenging this. So they may be set homework to do between sessions to test the reality of their irrational beliefs e.g. they could be tasked to record every time someone is nice to them if they believe that everyone hates them.
The cognitive approach to treating depression : What was Ellis’ way of treating depression?
REBT extends the ABC model to the ABCDE. D stands for disputing the irrational thoughts and E stands for the effect of this. REBT therapists identify irrational beliefs as utopianism and challenge its ‘rationality’.
Empirical argument which is disputing whether there is evidence to support this belief. and Logical argument which is disputing whether the negative thought actually follows from facts.
Name one strength AO3 of CBT in treating depression ?
P - One strength of CBT is that there is evidence of effectiveness.
E - March et al compared the effects of CBT and antidepressants. After 36 weeks 81% of both groups were significantly improved.
E - This means there is a good case for making CBT the first choice of treatment in public health care systems like the NHS.
Name one limitation AO3 of CBT in treating depression?
P - One limitation is suitability for diverse clients.
E - In severe cases depressed clients may not be able to motivate themselves to engage with the cognitive work set by their therapists or even in the sessions. Also, Sturmey suggested that any form o psychotherapy is not suitable for clients with learning difficulties.
E - This means that CBT may only be appropriate for a specific range of clients.
Name another limitation AO3 of CBT in treating depression?
P - One limitation of CBT is its high relapse rates.
E - Recent studies have looked at the long-term effectiveness of CBT and found that relapse rates are common. Ali et al assessed depression for 12 months following a course of CBT. 42% relapsed within 6 months of ending treatment and 53% withing a year.
E - This means that CBT may need to be repeated periodically which is time-consuming.
Name another limitation AO3 of CBT in treating depression?
P - One limitation is that CBT is down to the clients preference.
E - Some clients prefer to take medication in terms of treating their depression due to the fact that CBT is time consuming and takes quite a lot of effort and time according to Yrondi et al.
E - This suggests that people, even those who are depressed should have the right to choose their therapy even if it may not be the one with the best evidence of efectiveness.
