Treating depression

Question 1

What are the elements of Cognitive-behaviour therapy ?

Answer 1

• Homework: Patient as the ‘scientist’ - investigating the reality of their irrational negative beliefs
• Behavioural action: encouraging the patient to engage in pleasurable activities - cognitive obstacles are identified
• Unconditional positive regard: therapist convinces the patient of their value

Question 2

How does Beck’s model relate to treating depression ?

Answer 2

• Cognitive therapy is an application of Beck’s cognitive therapy.
• Identify thoughts about the negative triad.
• Once thoughts identified the thoughts have to be challenged
• Also used to test negative beliefs

Question 3

How does Ellis’s model relate to to behavioural therapy ?

Answer 3

• REBT extends the ABC model to ABCDE
• D = disrupting irrational thoughts and beliefs
• E = effects of disrupting and effective attitude to life

Question 4

What are the evaluative points of treating depression with CBT ?

Answer 4

Strength = evidence of effectiveness
March compared antidepressants and CBT improvements as well as how they worked combined. He looked at 327 adolescents and found these improvement rates after 36 weeks:
- 81% for CBT
- 81% for antidepressants
- 86% for combined

Limitation = Not suitable for certain people
People with severe cases or learning disabilities may not be able to fully engage in this type of therapy

Limitation = CBT is a treatment which has high relapse rates.
Ali looked at how long the benefits of CBT lasted. Assessed 438 clients every month for a year after treatment.
42% relapsed unto depression within 6 months
53% relapsed within a year