Cognitive approach to treating depression

• What does CBT stand for?

  Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
• What is the main goal of CBT?

  To identify and challenge negative thoughts
• What are the two components of CBT?

  Cognitive and behavioural components
• What does the cognitive component of CBT focus on?

  Challenging negative thoughts
• What does the behavioural component of CBT involve?

  Changing behaviour through behavioural activation
• What is behavioural activation in CBT?

  Engaging in enjoyable activities to improve mood
• What does REBT stand for?

  Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy
• How does REBT differ from CBT?

  It focuses on irrational beliefs using the ABCDE model
• What does the ABCDE model in REBT stand for?

  A = Activating event, B = Beliefs
• What does the D in the ABCDE model represent?

  Disputing irrational beliefs
• What does the E in the ABCDE model stand for?

  Effects (new rational beliefs)
• What are the three types of disputing in REBT?

  Logical, empirical, and pragmatic disputing
• What does logical disputing ask?

  Is the belief logical?
• What does empirical disputing focus on?

  Is there evidence for the belief?
• What does pragmatic disputing evaluate?

  Is it helpful?
• How does CBT reduce symptoms of depression?

  By challenging negative automatic thoughts
• What role does homework play in CBT?

  Patients keep thought diaries or try new behaviours
• What are the main goals and components of CBT?

  • Main goal: Identify and challenge negative thoughts
  • Components:
  • Cognitive: Challenging negative thoughts
  • Behavioural: Changing behaviour through activation
• What is the ABCDE model in REBT and its components?

  • A: Activating event
  • B: Beliefs
  • C: Consequences
  • D: Disputing irrational beliefs
  • E: Effects (new rational beliefs)
• What are the types of disputing in REBT?

  • Logical disputing: Is the belief logical?
  • Empirical disputing: Is there evidence?
  • Pragmatic disputing: Is it helpful?
• How does CBT improve mood and functioning?

  • Challenges negative automatic thoughts
  • Encourages positive behaviour and thought patterns
• A strength of the cognitive approach to treating depression is that there is strong supporting evidence for the effectiveness of CBT. March et al. (2007) compared the effects of CBT, antidepressants, and a combination of both on 327 adolescents with depression. They found that 81% of the CBT group and 81% of the medication group showed significant improvement after 36 weeks, while the combination group had an even higher success rate of 86%. This suggests that CBT is just as effective as medication and even more effective when used alongside it. These findings support the validity and practical value of CBT, highlighting it as a reliable treatment with clear real-world benefits.
• A strength of the cognitive approach to treating depression is its real-life application, particularly in the NHS. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is widely used as a first-line treatment for depression, as recommended by NICE guidelines. Its structured, time-limited nature makes it cost-effective and suitable for the NHS, where resources are limited. Since CBT focuses on challenging irrational beliefs and promoting behavioural activation, it empowers patients to take control of their thoughts and behaviours, improving their quality of life. This practical application increases the external validity of the cognitive approach and demonstrates its benefit to society by providing accessible, evidence-based care.
• A limitation of the cognitive approach to treating depression is that it primarily focuses on addressing current negative thought patterns, without considering the potential role of past experiences in the development of depression. This approach may lack validity for individuals whose depression stems from unresolved trauma or childhood events, as it overlooks deeper underlying issues. For example, individuals with depression caused by early attachment problems may benefit more from therapies that explore past relationships, such as psychodynamic therapy. By ignoring these past influences, the cognitive approach may fail to provide a comprehensive understanding and treatment for all cases of depression, limiting its generalizability and reducing its overall effectiveness for some individuals.
• A limitation of cognitive treatments for depression, such as CBT, is the high relapse rate observed after therapy ends. Shehzad Ali et al. (2017) found that while CBT was effective in reducing depressive symptoms during the treatment period, 50% of participants experienced a return of symptoms within a year following treatment. This suggests that CBT may not be a long-term solution for depression, and the skills learned during therapy may not be sufficient to maintain recovery without ongoing support. The high relapse rate undermines the long-term efficacy of cognitive treatments, raising concerns about their sustainability in preventing future episodes of depression.