Depression (Psychopathology) Flashcards
Cognitive Explanation: Beck’s Theory
Faulty information processing - Focusing on the negative aspects of a situation
Negative self schemas - When we view ourselves in a negative way
The negative triad - When we view the future, the world and ourselves negatively
Characteristics Of Depression
- Emotional
- Behavioural
- Cognitive
- Behavioural; lethargy or agitation, increased or decreasing sleeping, aggression and self harm
- Emotional; lowered mood, anger towards one’s self or others and low self esteem
- Cognitive; poor concentration, negative bias and absolutist thinking (Black&White)
Cognitive Explanation: Beck’s Theory
Evaluation
Supporting evidence - (Clark&Beck) Solid support for the idea that certain cognition stake is vulnerable to depression
Practical applications in CBT - Negative thoughts can be identities and challenges by a therapist
Doesn’t explain all aspects - Cannot easily explain extreme anger or hallucinations and delusions
Cognitive Explanation: Ellis’ ABC Model
Activating event - A negative left event that triggers irrational beliefs
Beliefs - Beliefs that lead is to over-react to the activating event, e.g, life should always be fair
Consequences - Depression, which is a result of when we over-react to negative life events
Cognitive Explanation: Ellis’ ABC Model
Evaluation
Partial explanation - Some cases of depression follow activating events but not all of them
Practical application in CBT - Irrational thought can be identified and challenged by a therapist
Doesn’t explain all aspects - Doesn’t explain extreme anger, hallucinations or delusions
Cognitive Treatment: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
Beck’s Cognitive Therapy - Aims to identify and challenge negative thoughts through testing then
Ellis’ REBT - Aims to identify and challenge irrational beliefs through arguing (logical&empirical)
Behavioural Activation - Alongside all cognitive aspects of CBT, patients are encouraged to be more active and engage in enjoyable activities
Cognitive Treatment: Cognitive Behaviour Therapy
Evaluation
It is effective - Significantly more effect than no treatment (Culipers et al)
May not work for the more severe cases - Not effect where patients are too depressed to engage in therapy
Overemphasis in cognition - Some patients want to explore their past
