Depression: Psychological Treatments - Abnormal Psychology Flashcards
Psychological Treatments
Psychological approaches to the treatment of depression come in many forms. These approaches are called psychotherapies; they involve face-to-face interactions with a therapist. Psychotherapy is seen as more personal than drug therapy and can be highly individualized to meet the needs of the client. Generally, psychotherapy is more focused on addressing a person’s life situation and subjective understanding of his or her psychological problems. Psychotherapy helps people identify unhealthy thought patterns and behaviors as well as suggests strategies to manage stress and symptoms. A therapist often works with an individual alone, but may also include family members in therapy sessions. Sometimes psychotherapy alone is enough to help an individual, sometimes psychotherapy is combined with antidepressants if the person is severely depressed. Research has shown that psychotherapy can be highly effective for many clients.
Cognitive Behvaioral Therapy (CBT):
widely used by pyschotherapies. CBT is based on cognitive theories of disorders (therapist helps change negative thought patterns).
CBT is blending 2 therapies: cognitive therapy and behavioral therapy, and includes behavior modification. Aaron Beck afrugues that pscyhological problems are associated with maladaptive thinking patterns and unhealthy behaviors ← changed theough working with a therapist. Nost specific events are core of individual’s problems, but the way they interpret it.
It is used in treatment for adults and children with MDD. Unlike other therapies, this focuses on current issues and symptoms. Client is active partiicpant in thesessions, learning to idenitfy unhealthy thoughts and behaviors to replace them with positive ones. 12-20 week sessions along with daily practice exercises to help client day-to-day.
Aim of CBT
Identify and change faulty thinking patterns and unhealthy patterns
Cognitive reconstructing: find out which thoughts are associated with depressed feelings, and to correct them
Validity testing
Develop effective coping strategies and problem-solving skills
Cognitive rehearsal: difficult
Homework: encourage self-discovery
Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT)
includes methods to change dysfunctional thoughts that could lead to problematic emotions and behaviors.
The aim of this therapy is to help clients let go of negative thinking patterns instead of being obsessed with them. The focus on a current perspective instead of ruminating about the past or fearing the future is seen as a valuable strategy to keep the client’s mind out of a depressive or anxious loop. MBCT is based on the integration of elements of CBT with elements of the mindfulness-based stress reduction program (MBSR).
Kuyken et al (2008)
AIM:
Investigate the effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) in reducing relapse rates and improving quality of life in individuals with a history of depression.
PROCEDURE:
Participants: 123 individuals with a history of depression, all taking antidepressant medication.
Participants were randomly assigned to:
Control group: Continued standard care with antidepressant medication.
Experimental group: Participated in an MBCT course and gradually reduced their medication.
Relapse rates and quality of life were measured.
FINDINGS:
Control group: 60% relapse rate.
MBCT group: 47% relapse rate.
Participants reported a higher quality of life, including improved enjoyment of daily activities and physical well-being.
75% of MBCT participants discontinued their antidepressant medication.
evaluation points for kuyken
Strengths:
Random allocation minimized bias and increased internal validity.
Demonstrated potential for MBCT to improve outcomes while reducing reliance on medication.
Highlighted psychological benefits such as improved quality of life alongside reduced relapse rates.
Limitations:
Participants were all on antidepressant medication at the start, so results may not generalize to those not using medication.
Does not provide details on long-term effects of MBCT after the study period.
Results may depend on participants’ commitment to and engagement with MBCT.
Cultural and demographic diversity of participants is unclear, limiting generalizability.
Segal et al (2010)
AIM:
Examine the long-term effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) in preventing relapse in individuals in remission for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD).
PROCEDURE:
Participants: 84 individuals in remission from MDD.
Participants were randomly assigned to one of three conditions:
MBCT group: Discontinued antidepressants and attended 8 weekly group sessions of MBCT.
Medication group: Continued taking a therapeutic dose of antidepressants without MBCT.
Placebo group: Discontinued active medication and switched to a placebo.
Relapse: Defined as a return of symptoms meeting the criteria for major depression for at least 2 weeks.
FINDINGS:
MBCT group: Prevented relapse as effectively as continuing medication.
Placebo group: Higher relapse rates compared to both the MBCT and medication groups.
Results suggest that MBCT is a viable alternative to medication for preventing recurrent depressive episodes.
evaluation points for segal (2010)
Strengths:
Randomized design enhanced internal validity.
Study compared MBCT to both active medication and placebo, providing a robust evaluation of its effectiveness.
Demonstrated that MBCT can be as effective as medication, offering a non-pharmacological alternative.
Limitations:
Sample size of 84 limits generalizability to larger populations.
Study duration may not reflect long-term outcomes of MBCT or medication.
Participants’ ability and motivation to engage with MBCT sessions may have influenced results.
Findings may not generalize to individuals with more severe or chronic forms of depression.
Strengths of CBT
No side effects
As effective as antidepressants
Reduce risk of relapse
Because learn to cope
Personal
Connection with the therapist
Those who like thier therapist improved greater and noticed themselves
And treatment is personalized
Support
Limitations of CBT
Not appropriate for all patients
Too long for effect to come into play (especially for high-risk)
Used after drug maybe
Focsues on symptoms
Doesn’t address past experince nor potential biological nature of disorder
Directive Therapy: assessing situation and deciding best course of action
Cultural questions might not apply and align between therapist and client
