P - Depression and the cognitive approach Flashcards
What is Beck’s cognitive theory of depression and its evaluation
People have a cognitive vulnerability to depression through:
- Faulty information processing; selective attention to the negative aspect of situations
- Negative self schemas; interoperates all information about themselves in a negative way
- Negative triad; automatic negative thoughts about self, future and world
- Practical application to CBT; for example therapist can identify and challenge negative triad components to encourage the patient to test whether they are true
- Can’t explain all aspects of depression for example some patients can experience hallucinations and delusions
Supporting study:
- 65 pregnant women assessed for cognitive vulnerability and depression before and after birth
- Found positive correlation between cognitive vulnerability and the likelihood of acquiring depression after childbirth
- Supports the faulty information process, increasing validity of theory
- This could explain post-partum depression
What is Ellis’ cognitive model of depression and its evaluation
ABC model; proposed that irrational beliefs make us over-react to events and get depressed
A - activating event; A negative life event
B - beliefs; Irrational interpretation of A make us over-react to the life event
C - consequences - Emotional and behavioral outcome is depression
- It cannot explain all types of depression, apart from those which clearly have an activating event, which is called reactive depression
- Doesn’t explain all aspects of depression, for example some patients suffer hallucinations and delusions
- Has practical applications to CBT, by challenging irrational beliefs, patients can reduce their depression. This is supported by research evidence
What is CBT and how does it use cognitive explanations to depression
- A psychological therapy that combines behavioral and cognitive approaches
- Aims to challenge negative or irrational beliefs, replacing them with more productive behavior
Beck’s in CBT: identify and challenge negative triad components to encourage the patient to test whether they are true. This is a central component of the therapy. In addition, negative beliefs can be challenged through homework such as to record when the patient enjoyed an event which helps them investigate the reality of such beliefs
Ellis in CBT: By challenging irrational beliefs, patients can reduce their depression. This is supported by research evidence. Ellis later developed a ABCDE model. D standing for dispute and E for effect. Therapist can ‘dispute’ irrational beliefs through logical or empirical arguments. The intended ‘effect’ is to change irrational belief to break the link between negative life events and depression
Evaluation of CBT
- It is effective
- Combination of CBT and antidepressants is the best; depressed individuals may not be able to attend CBT regularly due to a lack of motivation, or low self-esteem (‘not good enough for CBT’)
- CBT therapy is unwilling to ‘dwell on the past’ but patients may have experienced a specific triggering event (e.g. loss of a loved one), this may anger patient as they are able to identify cause of depression but therapist will not address it
Supporting study:
A study by March compared the effects of CBT, antidepressants and CBT with antidepressants on depression. Found that 81% of the CBT group, 81% of the antidepressant group and 86% of the CBT plus antidepressant group were significantly improved. Thus CBT is as affective as antidepressants and unlike antidepressants, helps the individual maintain there mental health independently over time
