Cognitive Approach 2 Explaining Depression

• Depression is a mood disorder, characterised by low mood and low energy levels
• Emotional characteristics

  •Lowered mood – feeling sad, worthless or empty•Anger – can be directed on themselves or others, which may lead to self-harming behaviour•Lowered self-esteem – individuals experience self-loathing (hating themselves)
• Behavioural characteristics:

  Reduced activity levels – can effect work and education commitments.

  Psychomotor agitation – pacing, struggling to relax

  Lack of sleep and changes to eating behaviour

  Aggression and self-harm
• Cognitive characteristics

  Poor concentration – poor decision making skills.

  Attending/dwelling on the negative – attention made to negative aspects of their life and recall more ‘unhappy’ events in their life.

  Absolutist thinking – ‘’all-good” or “all-bad
• Practical applications to CBT

  —Beck – Beck’s theory forms the basis of CBT. All cognitive elements of depression (including the negative triad) can be identified and challenged in CBT. This means that a therapist can challenge them and encourage the patient to test whether they are true.—
• Practical applications to CBT


  —These are strengths of the theories because they translate well into successful therapies and suggest that negative/irrational cognitions play some role in depression.
• Practical applications to CBT

  •Ellis – Ellis’ theory has led to a successful CBT. His idea that by challenging the negative, irrational beliefs a person can reduce their depression is supported by research evidence.
• Practical applications to CBT

  •These are strengths of the theories because they translate well into successful therapies and suggest that negative/irrational cognitions play some role in depression.