Treating depression

• Cognitive behaviour therapy

  > Cognitive aim - the client and the therapist will work together to identify irrational or negative thoughts that cause depression. These irrational or negative thoughts will be challenged to turn them into more rational and positive thinking.

  > Behavioural aim - CBT then involves working to change negative and irrational thoughts and finally put more effective behaviours in place
• Cognitive behaviour therapy

  > Empirical disputing - where a therapist will ask for evidence to support the irrational and negative thoughts.

  > For example 'where is the proof that nobody likes you?'

  > One way the therapist may do this is get the client to complete homework and keep a diary to test the reality of their beliefs

  > For example they may ask the client to write down anytime anyone is nice to them, in future sessions the therapist can use this to prove their thoughts are incorrect and irrational
• Cognitive behavioural therapy

  > Behavioural activation are used to change a clients behaviour such as encouraging the depressed individual to be more active.

  > Ensuring the client engages in activities that they once enjoyed, helping the persons mood improve and reduce the negative thoughts

  > CBT is practiced during the treatment and the client will become more independent so they can use these strategies in the real world to gain control over their thoughts
• CBT AO3 -

  :) RTS March

  > adolescents with depression - 81% found symptoms significantly improved after CBT and 86% improved if CBT was combined with antidepressants

  > Challenging irrational / negative can provide a reduction in depressive symptoms

  > Therefore CBT is a popular choice of treatment
• CBT AO3 -

  :( Requires motivation and commitment

  > Have to attend sessions and complete homework eg. keeping a diary

  > Individuals with depression often lack motivation

  > Reducing the effectiveness of CBT as a treatment
• CBT AO3

  :( High relapse rates

  > Few studies looked at long term effectiveness

  > Patients may need to engage in treatment more regularly

  > Reducing the effectiveness of CBT