Depression Treatment

Question 1

Cognitive Treatment

Answer 1

Beck’s Cognitive Therapy (CBT) and Ellis’s REBT

Question 2

Beck’s Cognitive Therapy

Answer 2

Often catastrophise situations so CBT aims to identify there irrational/faulty thoughts to then challenge them and replace them with more realistic ideas. They are encouraged to explore their thoughts outside sessions, like keeping a diary of negative thoughts. This can then be reviewed with the therapist and negative thoughts identified so they can challenge these using reality testing. CBT is a combination of cognitive and behavioural therapy, as it identifies and challenges but also uses behavioural activation. They often find it difficult to do thing so set small tasks to complete which encourages them to be more active and give sense of personal effectiveness. They will use unconditional positive regard so they provide respect and appreciation no matter which helps to make them feel safer.

Question 3

Ellis’s REBT

Answer 3

This is similar to CBT where it identifies irrational thoughts but challenges them in a more confrontational way. The idea is that once these thoughts are challenged they will be able to change their way of thinking.

Question 4

Three techniques used in REBT

Answer 4

Logical Disputing - making the patient see that self-defiant beliefs do not logically follow the information.
Empirical Disputing - making them see that self-defiant beliefs do not fit with reality.
Pragmatic Disputing - making them see that self-defiant beliefs are not helpful.

Question 5

(R) Strength

Answer 5

Research supporting effectiveness.
Ellis (1957) claimed 90% success rate for REBT taking an average of 27 sessions.
It can help reduce symptoms which improves their quality of life strengthening the treatment and validity of it.
However… if depressed due to real life circumstances like were abused then REBT is useless as it aims to challenge irrational thoughts but these wouldn’t be irrational so not as successful for all.

Question 6

(B) Weakness (D)

Answer 6

Drug therapies are more practical.
Anti-depressants are most common form of treatment for depression as requires less effort on the part of patient and are relatively cheap.
Practically they are must easier and better for those people. Especially if they struggle with getting out of bed so may miss the appointments but taking a pill is a lot easier to do. This reduces credibility of the treatment if it is not the favourite.
Furthermore… in some cases where the depression is so severe they need to have drugs first to then be able to engage in talking therapies suggesting it is not always effective on its own.

Question 7

(B) Weakness (E)

Answer 7

All have equal effectiveness.
Cuijpers et al (2013) reviewed 75 studies and found CBT was superior to no treatment and Rosenzweig (1936) argues all methods are equally effective which he called the dodo bird effect.
Now down to the individual what they choose and as drug therapies are more practical for both will probably choose that which limits credibility of explanation.
However.. CBT is a longer term treatment than drugs as once they stop taking them to symptoms may just come back and drugs can have severe side effects so given the choose may choice CBT because although less practical now better in the long run for them.