the cugnitive approach to treating depression

Question 1

what’s the most commonly used psychological treatment for depression?

Answer 1

CBT
cognitive behavioural therapy

Question 2

cognitive element if CBT

Answer 2

identifying where there might be negative or irrational thoughts that will benefit from a challenge

Question 3

behavioural element of CBT

Answer 3

working to change negative and irrational thoughts and putting more effective behaviours into place

Question 4

cognitive therapy

Answer 4

application of Beck’s cognitive theory of depression

Question 5

idea behind cognitive therapy

Answer 5

identify automatic thoughts about the world, future and the self - negative triad

Question 6

what’s the central component of therapy?

Answer 6

challenging thoughts

Question 7

cognitive therapy helps clients

Answer 7

test the reality of their negative beliefs

Question 8

what does the DE in Ellis’ ABCDE model stand for?

Answer 8

D - dispute
E - effect

Question 9

central technique of REBT?

Answer 9

identify and dispute irrational thoughts

Question 10

intended effect

Answer 10

change the irrational belief and so break the link between negative life events and depression

Question 11

goal of behavioural activism

Answer 11

work with depressed individuals to gradually decrease their avoidance and isolation and increase their engagement in activities shown to improve mood

Question 12

evaluation point: evidence for effectiveness

Answer 12

• studies show CBT works
• e.g. March et al compared CBT to antidepressant drugs as well as a combination of both when treating depressed adolescents
• after 36 weeks - 81% of the CBT group, 81% of the antidepressants group and 86% of the CBT plus antidepressants group significantly improved
• so CBT is just as effective and even more so when used alongside antidepressants

Question 13

evaluation: suitability for diverse clients

Answer 13

• lack of effectiveness for severe cases and clients with learning disabilities
• some clients can’t motivate themselves to engage with CBT
• Sturmey suggests any form of psychotherapy is not suitable for people with learning difficulties this includes CBT
• CBT may be appropriate for a specific range of people with depression

Question 14

evaluation: relapse rates

Answer 14

• high relapse rates
• concerns over how long the benefits last
• Ali et al assessed depression in 439 clients for every month for 12 months following a course of CBT
• 42% relapsed into depression within 6 months of ending treatment and 53% relapsed within a year