Treating depression: Cognitive approach

• Success may be due to the therapist-patient relationship - Limitation to using the cognitive approach to treat depression

  Rosenzwig (1936)

  • suggested that the difference between CBT and SD is quite small- it maybe the quality of the therapist
  • patient relationship that determines success rather than any particular technique that is used
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  • Luborsky (2002)- supports the view that simple having a talk with someone matters most
• Why is CBT not working for severe cases a limitation for using the cognitive approach to treat phobias?

  Patients may not be able to motivate themselves to engage with the hard work

  • May not be able to pay attention to what is happening
  • Although it is possible to work around this with AD , CBT cannot be used as a sole treatment for all cases of depression
• 2 Limitations of using the cognitive approach to treat phobias

  - CBT may not work for the most server cases

  - Successes may be due to therapist (patient relationship)
• How is using the cognitive approach to treat depression effective?

  March et al (2007)

  • Compared the effects of CBT with drugs with 327 pp
  • after 36 weeks = 81% of the CBT group, 81% of the AD group , 86% of the CBT + AD significantly improved
  • CBT emerged as just effective suggesting there is a good case of making CBT the first choice in the national health service
• 1 strength of using the cognitive approach to treating depression

  - it is effective
• What are the different methods of vigorous argument?

  Empirical arguments- disputing whether there is actual evidence to support the negative beliefs

  Logical argument- disputing whether the negative thought logically follows from the facts
• Describe Ellis’s rational emotive behaviour therapy (REBT)

  Expends ABC model to ABCDE model

  D = dispute

  E = effect

  • The central technique is to identify and dispute irrational thoughts
  • Vigorous arguments- change irrational beliefs and break the link between negative life events and depression
  • identified different methods of disputing
• Describe Beck’s Cognitive Therapy

  Identify automatic thoughts about the world, future and self.

  • Once identified these thoughts must be challenged
  • Aims to help patients test the reality of their negative beliefs
  • therapists would set homework ( to record whenever they enjoyed an event)
  • Sometimes referred to as “patients as scientists”
• What are the 2 types of CBT?

  - Beck's Cognitive Therapy

  - Ellis's rational emotive behaviour therapy (REBT)
• What is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)?

  Treatment based on cognitive and behavioural techniques. Therapy aims to deal with thinking (challenging negative thoughts).