L10 - cognitive behavioural therapy for depression

Question 1

what is CBT

Answer 1

developed by Beck
patient has control over thinking and focuses on present experiences
think positively so it has a positive impact on behaviour
thought catching - identify negative thoughts
challenge them and keep a record of events to prove existence of positive events

Question 2

2 strengths of CBT

Answer 2

• widely respected and supported by vast amounts of research as a therapy for depression, cost effective and used by NHS, economical compared to other approaches, long term cure and once cured, less likely to relapse and unlikely to return to NHS
• gets to root cause of depression, uncovers underlying issues which caused depression, other treatments such as medications do not find cause but cover up symptoms

Question 3

weakness of CBT

Answer 3

drugs are more popular as they require less effort
research found CBT is more effective if combined with drug therapy
so CBT may not be as effective on its own and drugs may be more effective alongside it

Question 4

what is REBT

Answer 4

rational emotive behavioural therapy
developed by ellis
challenge depressed patients to think more rationally and positively
given homework - test irrational beliefs and replace with rational ones
behavioural activation - become more active and engage in pleasurable activities

Question 5

what does the D in the DEF model stand for

Answer 5

disputing irrational thoughts and behaviour - logical dispute when beliefs do not follow logically, empirical dispute when beliefs are not consistent with reality

Question 6

what does the E in the DEF model stand for

Answer 6

effects of disputing and effective attitude to life - depressed patient turns thoughts more rational interpretation of events

Question 7

what does the F in the DEF model stand for

Answer 7

feelings - depressed patient begins to think more positively and begins to feel better

Question 8

strength of REBT approach to treating depression

Answer 8

research evidence by flannaghan et al
effective way of treating depressive stroke victims
suitable for specific groups of people with depression
can help them become more positive over time in terms of thoughts and behaviour

Question 9

2 weaknesses of REBT

Answer 9

• unclear if distorted negative thinking is the cause of depression or a symptom, if it is a symptom then REBT is not tackling cause and depression may return so isn’t cured properly
• dependant on clients being able to articulate feelings coherently, would not work for those with severe depression who are unable to communicate properly or feel uncomfortable talking about feelings