The cognitive approach to treating depression

• What is the first stage in cognitive behavioural therapy?

  . The therapist and client identify the clients faulty cognitions
• What is the second stage in CBT?

  . The therapist then tries to help the client see that these aren't true (cognitive restructuring, rationalising the client)
• What is the final stage in CBT?

  . Together, they set goals to think in more positive or adaptive ways (focus on success and build on that)
• What are the different strands of CBT?

  . Becks cognitive behavioural therapy

  . Ellis' rational emotive behaviour therapy
• What is Becks cognitive behavioural therapy?

  . Identify negative thoughts in relation to the Becks negative triad

  . Challenge rational thoughts by discussing evidence for and against them

  . Encouraged to test the validity of their negative thoughts, may be set homework e.g. having coffee with a friend to challenge the thought that everyone hates you
• What is Ellis' rational emotional behavioural therapy? (REBT)

  . Developed the ABC model to include D (dispute) and E (effective). Developed the ABC model to include D (dispute) and E (effective)

  . There are 2 types to dispute

  -Logical dispute (asking if thoughts make sense)

  -Empirical dispute (therapist asks for evidence behind thoughts)
• What is the differences between Becks cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and REBT?

  . beck's is the original model, Ellis' built on becks

  . Becks is more collaborative than Ellis', hers is much more direct, you have more of an argument with the therapist, the therapist challenges the client more
• What is behavioural activation?

  . The goal of behavioural activation is to encourage individuals to gradually increase their engagement in meaningful, enjoyable or necessary activities- even when not motivated to do so

  . often social activities to improve emotional and cognitive well-being

  . Helpful as avoidance is used as a way to cope with depression but it makes you more depressed
• What are the strengths of the cognitive approach to treating depression?

  . March et al (2007) found that CBT was as effective as antidepressants in treating depression (327 adolescents, after 36 weeks, both groups showed 81% had improved, 86% if drugs were used alongside)

  . Unlike biological approaches, CBT does not have physical side effects e.g. weight gain, skin issues (which can make you more depressed) and it also empathises skill development
• What are weaknesses of the cognitive approach to treating depression?

  . It requires motivation (a lot of motivation and commitment that depressed people don't often have, meaning we often cant use CBT alone)

  . Overemphasises the role of cognitions (Dosent acknowledge triggers like abusive relationships, you would need to remove the trigger here not change your thoughts)
• Weaknesses of cognitive (2)

  . Peter Stermey (2005) suggested any type of talking therapy is not suitable for people with learning difficulties (can be hard for them to rationalise thoughts, also applies to people with schizophrenia as they cant rationalise beliefs easily)

  . Shezhad Ali et al (2007) found 42% of patients relapsed into depression six months after a CBT course and 53% within a year (sessions are expensive and when people complete sessions they often struggle on their own)