CA treating depression

• Cotard syndrome- Jarret (2013) delusion that one is a zombie as a result of sever depression
• CBT for depression support- March et al (2007) (EVAL POINT)


  • Compared the effects of CBT with antidepressant drugs
  • Also compared a combination of the two in 327 adolescents with depression diagnosis
  • 36 weeks: 81% CBT, 81% antidepressants, 86% both significantly improved
  • CBT therefore as effective as medication
• Patient-therapist relationship success- Rosenzweig (1936)(EVAL POINT)

  • Suggested the difference between methods of psychotherapy are small
  • All share a therapist-patient relationship
  • The quality of this relationship may determine the success rather than a technique
  • Supported by Luborsky et al who found very small differences and the relationship may matter most for progress
• What happens in Beck's CBT?

  • Identify automatic thoughts from the negative triad
  • These thoughts must be challenged to test the reality of the beliefs
  • E.g. set homework to record when people where nice to them
  • Patient acts as the scientist to investigate the reality of their negative beliefs
  • Therefore, disproves false reality and combats beliefs to reset cognition
• What happens in Ellis's REBT?

  • Extended ABC model
  • D- dispute, challenges irrational beliefs through a vigorous argument to change belief
  • E- effect, breaking the link between negative life events and depression
• What are the two arguments used in REBT when disputing beliefs?

  • Empirical argument- disputing whether there is evidence to support negative belief
  • Logical argument- disputing whether the negative thought logically follows from facts
• What is behavioural activation?

  Therapists may work to encourage depressed patients to be more active and engage in enjoyable activities. Provides more evidence for irrational nature of beliefs
• Evaluating CBT

  :) Effective, evidence from March et al

  :( Severe cases may not benefit from CBT

  :( Success from therapist-patient relationship not actual process, Rosenzweig