psychopathology lessons 8-13 Flashcards
behavioural characteristics of depression
shift in energy levels
social impairment
weight changes
poor personal hygiene
sleep pattern disturbance
aggression and self harm
emotional characteristics of depression
loss of enthusiasm
constant depressed mood
worthlessness
anger
cognitive characteristics of depression
delusions
reduced concentration
thoughts of death
poor memory
negative thinking
absolutist thinking
what is the cognitive triad by beck
the idea that people become depressed because of their negative outlook on life and so they develop negative schemas. this is usually developed from childhood where parents were overly critical of them.
examples of negative schemas
self blame - feel responsible for misfortunes
ineptness - expecting to fail at everything
steps of cognitive triad
negative thoughts about self: feeling worthless
negative thoughts about world: negative thinking continues on larger scale
negative thoughts about future: causes low self esteem and can lead to suicidal thinking
evaluation of cognitive approach by beck
advantages: research support from terry who assessed 65 pregnant women for cognitive vulnerability and depression before and after birth. he found that women with high cognitive vulnerability to negative thinking were more likely to suffer post natal depression. the theory has been based on sound experimental research that is objective and permits testing.
disadvantages: cause and effect is not clear as do negative thinking cause depression or does depression cause the patient to think in a negative way. becks theory doesn’t explain how other symptoms are formed such as hallucinations and anger.
what is ellis abc model
activating event: an event that triggers negative thinking
beliefs: patients record their thoughts associated with the events
consequences: patients record their emotional response to their beliefs such as feeling upset.
ellis identified mustabatory thinking can cause irrational and negative thinking that can be emotionally damaging: i must be loved or i’m worthless.
evaluation of ellis’s abc model
advantages: research support from bates who found that depressed patients who were given negative thought statements became more and more depressed. by knowing negative thinking contributes to depression it can help provide effective treatments to cure depression.
disadvantages: cause and effect not established. the biological approach criticises the cognitive approach as neurotransmitters and genes may affect depression as well. zhang found there is a gene that makes it ten time more likely to develop depression.
what is CBT by beck
therapy that restructures negative ways of thinking so they become more positive and rational. used on individuals or in small groups. therapist is highly trained. helps patient think in a more positive way. thought catching which is patients identifying negative thoughts. weekly sessions
evaluation of cbt
advantages: very effective to use when client has mild depression as it stops it from getting worse. widely respected and supported in the use by the nhs. it also is very economical and cost effective. also identifies root cause of depression unlike medication.
disadvantages: more effective when paired with drugs and drugs require less effort. not as effective with severe depression as patient may be unwilling so drugs may be better for that.
what is REBT by ellis
practises positive thinking by reinforcing the abc model in a more logical way. clients also given homework assignments between sessions to test irrational beliefs. active participation encouraged. Disputing irrational thoughts done through logical and empirical disputing. which is questioning if it is logical and if there’s proof
Effective disputing can change self defeating beliefs to rational ones
Feelings: thinking more positively makes you feel better.
evaluation of REBT
advantages: research support from psychologist who said the use of rebt is effective to treat depressive stroke patients. david tested long term treatment of rebt on 170 depressed patients using drugs and rebt. after 6 months he found that rebt was more effective
disadvantages: rebt is dependant on patients being articulated and being able to talk coherently. therefore it won’t work on people who are uncomfortable or unable to do so. depends on the skill of the therapist as more skill leads to more effective
what are the behavioural characteristics of OCD
compulsive behaviour: repetitive unconcealed acts that they believe they have to do
hinder everyday functioning: having obsessive ideas that create anxiety
social impairment: obsessions and compulsions may hinder the ability to have personal relationships
repetitive: repeat behaviours.
avoidance: avoiding situations that may trigger anxiety.
what are the emotional characteristics of OCD
anxiety and distress: sufferers aware of their obsessions have feelings of shame and embarrassment
accompanying depression: anxiety might be accompanied by low mood
guilt and disgust: irrational guilt over minor issues or disgust which may directed towards self
