AO3 - cognitive approach to explaining depression

• What are the strengths of Beck's and Ellis's theories of depression?

  • Practical real-life applications
  • Development of successful therapies (CBT, REBT)
  • Supported by research indicating effectiveness
• What is a limitation of Ellis's theory of depression?

  • Only partially explains depression
  • Applicable mainly to reactive depression
  • Does not explain endogenous depression
• What is a limitation of Beck's and Ellis's theories of depression?

  • Cannot explain complex aspects of depression
  • Fails to address extreme anger or hallucinations
  • Incomplete in explaining all depression symptoms
• What research supports Beck's explanation of depression?

  • Grazioli and Terry's study on cognitive vulnerability
  • Clark and Beck's review of cognitive factors
  • Butter and Beck's meta-analysis on CBT effectiveness
• What did Hamman and Krantz find regarding depressed women?

  They made more errors of logic in interpretations
• What did Bates et al. discover about depressed patients in remission?

  They became more depressed with negative thought statements
• What did Weissman and Beck measure in their study?

  Thought processes using the dysfunctional attitude scale
• What was the outcome of Weissman and Beck's study?

  Depressed participants made more negative assessments
• What happened when depressed participants received therapy?

  Improvement in their self ratings
• What is one strength of CBT?

  It is supported by research
• What did March et al (2007) compare in their study?

  The effects of CBT and antidepressant drugs
• What percentage of the CBT group showed significant improvement after 36 weeks?

  81%
• What does the study by March et al (2007) suggest about CBT?

  It is as effective as medication
• Why might CBT not be suitable for all individuals?

  Severe depression may hinder engagement
• What can be done if a patient cannot engage with CBT?

  Use antidepressant medication first
• What is a limitation of CBT regarding treatment for depression?

  It cannot be the sole treatment
• What did Rosenzweig suggest about psychotherapy methods?

  Differences may be quite small
• What is considered an essential ingredient in psychotherapy success?

  The therapist-patient relationship
• What do many comparative reviews find about psychotherapy methods?

  Very small differences in effectiveness
• What is one limitation of CBT regarding its focus?

  It focuses too much on cognition
• How can CBT minimize the importance of a patient's circumstances?

  By emphasizing cognitive processes over environment
• What might a patient living in poverty need to change?

  Their circumstances, not just their thoughts
• What is another limitation of CBT regarding its temporal focus?

  It focuses too much on the present
• Why might some patients find CBT frustrating?

  It does not address their past experiences
• What is a basic principle of CBT?

  Focus on the present and future
• What do some patients want to discuss in therapy?

  Their childhood experiences
• What does CBT's present focus limit in therapy?

  Consideration of factors outside the present
• How can inappropriate use of CBT techniques affect patients?


  It can demotivate them to change