Psychopathology: Cognitive approach to explaining and treating depression

Question 1

What are the 2 key assumptions of the cognitive approach?

According to the cognitive approach , depression is a result of what…

Answer 1

-to explain behaviour we must refer to thought processes
-we can make inferences about the mind by observing behaviour

-faulty thought processes

Question 2

What are the 3 main behavioural characteristics of depression?
Explain them

Answer 2

Disruption to sleep and eating behaviours-insomnia/hypersomnia and a gain/loss in appetite

Change in activity levels-decreased energy levels causing sufferers to withdraw from activities

Aggression-towards self (self harm) or others

Question 3

What are the 2 main emotional characteristics of depression?
Explain them

Answer 3

Lowered mood/self esteem-sufferers describe themselves as worthless/empty

Anger-directed at others or self

Question 4

What are the 2 main cognitive characteristics of depression?
Explain them

Answer 4

Attending to and dwelling on the negative-have a bias towards negative aspects of a situation , view self , world and future in negative way

Poor concentration-can’t stick at a task and find decision making difficult

Question 5

What did Beck suggest?

Answer 5

that a persons thought processes determine their vulnerability to depression

Question 6

What are the three main aspects of Beck’s Cognitive Theory of Depression?

Answer 6

Faulty information processes-when depressed we pay attention to negative aspects and ignore the positives

Negative self schema-depressed people interpret all information about themselves negatively

The negative triad-depressed people have negative thoughts about self , world and future

Question 7

What did Ellis(1962) propose..

(what is good MH a result of and what does depression result from)

Answer 7

he proposed that good MH is a result of rational thinking and depression is a result of irrational thinking

Question 8

Describe Ellis’s ABC model

Answer 8

A=Activating event
there must be an event that triggers irrational beliefs

B=Belief
there are a range of irrational beliefs that contribute to the depression

C=Consequences
when the event triggers the irrational beliefs there are behavioural and emotional consequences

Question 9

What is a strength of the cognitive approach as an explanation for depression?

Answer 9

+it has supporting evidence
Grazioli and Terry (2000) assessed 65 pregnant women for cog vulnerability and depression before and after giving birth and found women with high cog vulnerability were more likely to suffer post natal depression
this shows there is a link between negative thinking patterns and depression

Question 10

What is a further strength of the cognitive approach as an explanation for depression?

Answer 10

+it has practical applications
it forms the basis of CBT which involves cognitive aspects of depression being addressed and challenged by a therapist
this adds external validity as the explanation translates into a successful treatment

Question 11

What is a limitation of the cognitive approach as an explanation for depression?

Answer 11

-it neglects biology
there is evidence that low serotonin levels are associated with depression
this suggests that the cognitive approach is an incomplete explanation

Question 12

What is a further limitation of the cognitive approach as an explanation?

Answer 12

-it blames the client rather than the situational factors
it ignores the impact of life events and the clients living environment on their well being which further suggests the approach is an incomplete explanation

Question 13

What is the main form of treatment for depression?

Answer 13

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

Question 14

What is CBT?

Answer 14

a talking therapy that can help patients manage their problems by changing the way they think and behave

Question 15

What happens during a session of CBT?
make 4 points

Answer 15

-clients work with a therapist to break down your problems into their separate parts(thoughts , feelings and actions)
-client and therapist analyse these areas to work out if they are unrealistic/unhelpful and how they are effecting you
-therapist helps you work out how to change these unhelpful thoughts
-therapist asks you to practise these changes in your daily life

Question 16

Describe the 4 advantages of CBT

Answer 16

-may be helpful in cases where medication alone hasn’t worked
-can be completed in a relatively short period
-it has a highly structured nature meaning it can be provided in different formats(books etc)
-teaches you useful strategies that can be used in every day life after treatment is done

Question 17

Describe the 4 disadvantages of CBT

Answer 17

-you need to commit yourself to the process for it to be most successful
-can be time consuming so may be unsuitable for people with more complex MH needs
-it involves confronting emotions which can cause uncomfortable/anxious feelings initially
-focuses on individuals capacity to change themselves so ignores situational factors

Question 18

How does CBT relate to Beck’s Negative Triad?
2 points

Answer 18

the therapist and patient work together to identify negative thoughts about self , world and future
-these thoughts are then challenged by the patient by encouraging them to test the reality of their beliefs

Question 19

What does REBT stand for?
What model is it based on?

Answer 19

Rational Emotive Behavioural Therapy
Ellis’s ABC model

Question 20

Describe the 4 stages of REBT

Answer 20

1)client and therapist identify and break down problems
2)therapist challenges clients irrational beliefs by disputing them using empirical/logical arguments
3)clients complete assignments between sessions which tests irrational beliefs and puts rational ones into practise
4)Behavioural activation-client encouraged to engage in enjoyable activities

Question 21

What are the 2 types of argument used in REBT?
Explain them

Answer 21

Empirical-dispute whether there is evidence to support the belief
Logical-dispute whether the belief follows logically from facts

Question 22

What are the 2 strengths of CBT as a treatment for depression?

Answer 22

+there is supporting evidence from March et al (2007)
he studied 327 teens with depression and found that 81% who received CBT significantly improved after 36 weeks and he found the same result for those who had drug treatments , suggesting CBT is effective

+the therapy is long lasting
techniques learnt can be used continually to stop symptoms returning , makes it a more cost effective treatment

Question 23

What are the limitations of CBT as a treatment for depression?

Answer 23

-it doesn’t address irrational environments that might be impacting the clients thoughts/wellbeing , this can demotivate people to change their circumstances which limits the treatments effectiveness

-it doesn’t work for everyone
it requires lots of motivation and some find it hard/refuse to change their beliefs , it also doesn’t work as well for more severe cases , further limiting its appropriateness