Depression (Psychopathology) Flashcards
Depression
Mood disorder characterised by low mood, lack of energy and motivation and loss of interest in activities that were once pleasurable
Acronym for Emotional, Behavioural and Cognitive characteristics of depression
E- GS
B- ADA
C- PD
2 Emotional characteristics of depression
GS
Guilt: feeling they have no value in comparison to others
Sadness: persistent low mood
3 Behavioural characteristics of depression
ADA
Anxiety levels: reduced levels of energy (lethargic). Leads to withdrawal from work, education and social life.
Disruption to sleep and eating behaviour: can lead to insomnia and changes in weight
Aggression: to others/ self harm
2 Cognitive characteristics of depression
PD
Poor concentration: can’t give full attention to tasks
Dwelling on the negative: focuses on more negative aspects than positive
Cognitive approach to depression
Argues depression is due to irrational thoughts from maladaptive internal mental processes
Becks negative triad
3 Schemas with persistent automatic negative bias
The Self - feeling ‘inadequate or unworthy’
The World - Thinking people are ‘hostile or threatening’
The Future - Thinking ‘things will always turn out badly’
Triad develops in childhood but provides framework for biases in adulthood, leading to cognitive distortions
Ellis’ ABC Theory
-Activating event A: Anything that happens to someone
-Beliefs B: People with depression have irrational beliefs
-Consequence C: Irrational beliefs lead to consequences
Supporting evidence for Beck (evaluations for the cognitive approach to depression)
Grazioli and Terry 2000 assessed 65 pregnant women for cognitive vulnerability and depression before and after birth
Those high in cognitive vulnerability were more likely to suffer post-natal depression
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (4)
Breaking the cycle of maladaptive thinking, feelings and behaviour.
Focused on present struggles, not past.
When the parts of the sequence are clearly outlined and understood, they can be changed.
CBT aims to get the person to a point where they can fix their problems independently.
CBT 1 (Beck’s CBT)
Challenges the negative triad of the client
The client will be assessed to discover the severity of their condition and to provide information on how they see themselves, the future and the world
CBT 2 (Ellis’ Rational Emotive Behavioural Therapy)
REBT extends the ABC model to an ABCDE model
-D= Dispute (challenge the thoughts)
-E= Effect (see a more beneficial effect on thought and behaviour)
REBT challenges the client to prove their negative statements and replace them with a more reasonable realistic view.
Negative Evaluation of Beck
It can explain the basic symptoms of depression, but not all of them.
Positive Evaluation of CBT
-March et al 2007 supports its effectiveness in reducing symptoms and preventing relapse
Positive Evaluation of CBT and Drug Treatment used together
Keller et al 2000
Recovery rates from depression
-55% with drugs
-52% with CBT
-85% when used together
Negative Evaluation of CBT
Depression can be so severe that patients cannot motivate themselves to engage in therapy
This means that CBT cannot be the sole treatment in all cases
