Evaluation for the cognitive approach o treating depression

Question 1

Evaluation

it is effective

Answer 1

large body of evidence=support the effectiveness of CBT for depression
E.G Maron et al
compared the effects of CBT with antidepressant drugs & a combination of the two =327 adolescents = with depression
*after 36 weeks = 81% CBT
81% antidepressant group
86% CBT plus antidepressant
CBT= just as effective as medication and helpful alongside it
-there is a good care for making CBT= the first choice in public health care systems

Question 2

Evaluation

CBT may not work for the most severe cases

Answer 2

some cases = depression can be so severe = patients cannot motivate themselves to engage with the hard cognitive work of CBT
*may not even be able to pay attention to what is happening in the session
^^^^^in this case = antidepressant is better
although =possible to work around by using medication = LIMITATION = bcause = it means that CBT cannot be used as the sole treatment for all cases of depression

Question 3

Evaluation

overemphasis on cognition

Answer 3

emphasis on the mind of the individual= may end up minimising the importance of the circumstance the individual is living in

• e.g an individual living in poverty or suffering abuse = needs to change their environment
• CBT techniques =use inappropriately can demotivate people to change their situation.