depression

• what do cognitive approaches suggest?

  abnormal behaviour arises from faulty thought processes
• what are the 2 explanations to depression?

  1. beck's cognitive theory
  2. ellis's ABC model
• what is the main assumption of beck's cognitive theory?

  faulty thinking leads to depression
• give some examples of faulty thinking strategies

  • dichotomous thinking - all or none thinking
  • arbitrary inferences - draw negative conclusions without supporting evidence
  • selective abstraction - pay attention to certain features of an event
  • excessive responsibility - taking extreme blame
• what are the 3 principles of cognitive vulnerability proposed by Beck?

  1. faulty information processing
  2. negative self-schemas
  3. negative triad
• outline faulty information processing (Beck)

  focus on negative aspects of a situation

  • 'black and white' thinking
• explain what a negative self-schema is(Beck)

  interpret all information about ourselves in a negative way

  • acquired in childhood
• what is the negative triad?(Beck)

  irrational view of 3 elements in a person's belief systems

  
• what are the 3 elements of the negative triad?(Beck)

  1. view of self
  2. view of the world
  3. view of the future
• outline a negative view of self as part of Beck's negative triad

  individuals see themselves as helpless, worthless and inadequate

  • confirm existing low self-esteem
• outline a negative view of the world as part of Beck's negative triad

  obstacles in one's environment are perceived as can't be dealt with

  • creates impression of hopelessness
• outline a negative view of the future as part of Beck's negative triad

  personal worthlessness blocks improvements

  • reduce hopefulness
• what is the main assumption of Ellis's ABC model?

  irrational thoughts in response to an event explains depression
• what are the 3 key principles of Ellis's ABC model?

  • A = activating event
  • B = belief (rational or irrational)
  • C = consequence
• what do rational beliefs lead to? (Ellis)

  healthy emotions
• what's the consequence of irrational beliefs? (Ellis)

  unhealthy emotions
• outline the 3 types of irrational beliefs proposed by Ellis

  • mustabatory thinking - belief we must always succeed
  • utopianism - belief life is always meant to be fair
  • major disaster - something doesn't go smoothly
• ✅ beck's cognitive theory

  • successful treatments
  • CBT challenges negative thoughts
  • supports faulty thinking causing depression
• what are the 2 cognitive treatment methods for depression?

  1. Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT)
  2. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
• explain how CBT works

  • therapist and patient identify negative and irrational thoughts
  • strategies are used to challenge thoughts by disputing validity of beliefs
  • negative thoughts are rejected
  • positive strategies are used instead
• outline the process that Beck's therapy uses

  • identify automatic thoughts about the self, world and future
  • therapist challenges validity of thoughts
  • patients test the reality of beliefs (homework)
  • findings challenge future negative beliefs
• what's the main idea of Ellis's REBT?

  make patient understand that thoughts are irrational

  • substitute them for effective cognitions
• explain the model that REBT follows

  • A = activating event
  • B = belief
  • C = consequence
  • D = dispute
  • E = effect
• what are the main 3 strategies used to challenge beliefs in cognitive treatments?

  logical - beliefs don't follow logically from available information

  • does thinking in this way make sense?

  empirical - beliefs aren't consistent with reality

  • where is the proof that this belief is accurate?

  pragmatic - emphasise lack of usefulness in beliefs

  • how is this belief going to help me?
• what are the main 3 elements used in Beck's therapy?

  homework - complete assignments or diary between sessions

  • tests irrational beliefs against reality
  • puts rational beliefs into practice

  behavioural activation - encourage client to become active and engage in pleasurable activities

  • deal with cognitive obstacles

  unconditional positive regard - convince client of their worth

  • provide respect and appreciation to change attitudes
• ✅ cognitive treatment for depression

  • march et al
  • CBT had a success rate of 81%
  • valuable treatment
• ❌ beck's cognitive theory

  • doesn't explain all symptoms
  • e.g. hallucinations, extreme anger or delusions
  • not a complete explanation
• ❌ beck's cognitive theory

  • lacks certainty
  • does depression cause negative thoughts?
  • cognitive explanations describe symptoms rather than identifying true cause
• ✅ ellis' abc model

  • practical applications in therapy
  • REBT challenges irrational beliefs
  • effective treatment by changing thoughts to improve mood
• ❌ ellis' abc model

  • focuses too much on life events
  • some people develop depression without an activating event
  • not an universal explanation
• ❌ ellis' abc model

  • ignores biological causes of depression
  • research shows low serotonin and genetic factors contribute to depression
  • less comprehensive
• ❌ cognitive treatment of depression

  • doesn't work for severe case of depression
  • antidepressants are needed to increase motivation
  • not suitable for all individuals
• ❌ cognitive treatment for depression

  • relies heavily on cognitive factors
  • research shows low serotonin and genetic factors contribute to depression
  • more holistic approach needed