cognitive approach to treating depression

• CBT = cognitive behavioural therapy

  • therapist + patient identify goals, and create a plan to challenge irrational thoughts + replace them with effective behaviours
  • can be based on Beck's cognitive therapy and/or ellis's rational emotive behavioural therapy
  • goals should be specific, measurable, achievable and time-based
• beck's

  • identify + challenge negative triad
  • homework e.g journal to produce evidence
• ellis's REBT

  • ABCDE = dispute (challenge irrational belief) + effect (new belief replaces old belief)
  • empirical argument: disputing whether there is actual evidence to support the negative belief
  • logical argument : involves disputing whether the negative thought logically follows from the facts
  • positive/enjoyable activities encouraged
• supporting evidence✅

  • march et al - 327 depressed adolescents
  • 36 weeks
  • 81% effective for CBT + medication (just as effective)
• not always suitable🚫

  • very severe cases - can't motivate selves to engage
  • may have to be combined with medication
• may be due to therapist - patient relationship 🚫

  • some people just want to talk - doesn't prove cognition is the cause
  • could work without cognitive focus
• overemphasis on cognition🚫

  • circumstances e.g poverty
  • environment needs to be changed rather than cognition
  • inappropriate CBT use can demotivate people to change environments