Treating Depression Flashcards
What is the most common treatment of depression
CBT
What has CBT been developed based on
the key concepts from the cognitive explanation of depression
What is the most logical and effective way of changing maladaptive behaviour
the key concepts from the cognitive explanation of depression
What does CBT assist patients to do
identify irrational and maladaptive thoughts and alter them.
What is Ellis’ REBT
REBT extends the ABC model to an ABCDE model
What does the ABCDEF model stand for
D - disputing irrational thoughts and beliefs
E - effects of disputing and effective attitude to life
F - feelings that are produced
How will a therapist dispute the patient’s irrational thoughts
Empirical dispute or Logical dispute
What is empirical disputing
this involves asking the patient for proof that their thoughts or beliefs are true.
What is logical disputing
involves asking if the belief is logical or based on common sense.
What is the aim of REBT
for the client to re-interpret their thoughts and beliefs in a more positive way which will help to reduce the negative emotions they experience as a result of irrational thinking.
Evaluation of CBT
- Biological factors also play a role - with support
- Appropriateness of CBT
- Support groups
Evaluation: how do Biological factors also play a role in the depression
There is a large amount of supporting evidence for the effectiveness of CBT being used to treat depression. For example, David et al (2008) found, using 170 patients suffering from major depressive disorder, patients who were treated with 14 weeks of REBT had better treatment outcomes than those treated with the drug fluoxetine 6 months after treatment. This suggests that CBT is a more effective treatment for depression than the drug therapies and that it provides a suitable long term treatment for depression. However, Craighead and Dunlop (2014) carried out a meta-analysis to find out whether CBT is more effective when used on its own or in combination with drug therapy. For long-lasting depression, combined treatment was generally more effective. This suggests that biological factors also play a role in the depression and that it is not suitable to just use CBT to treat depression long term.
Evaluation: appropriateness of CBT
In cases of severe depression, patients may not be able to motivate themselves enough to engage in CBT so it may be more appropriate to treat these patients with anti-depressants and commence CBT when they are able to fully engage with the treatment. Therefore CBT may be more effective when used as a combined approach to treating severe depression.
Evaluation: support groups
The success of the treatment could be down to the patient-therapist relationship rather than the particular techniques that are used. Many comparative reviews (e.g. Luborsky et al, 2002) find very small differences, supporting the idea that simply having someone to talk to and who will listen is what is most important. Therefore support groups could be used instead as it may not be necessary for a trained mental health professional to be involved in the treatment.
Extended evaluation
CBT could be criticised for overemphasising cognitions and underestimating the importance of the patients personal circumstances (e.g. if they are in poverty or suffering abuse). It may be that the patients circumstances need to change and focussing on the mind rather than the environment could prevent this.
