Cognitive Explanation for Depression

• negative schema - a set of beliefs about the world that are negative and limiting developed in childhood
• negative schemas are caused by factors like parental/peer rejection and criticism from teachers
• negative schemas lead to systematic cognitive biases in thinking
• cognitive bias example 1

  minimization - diminishing an achievement/downplaying a serious situation/offence
• cognitive bias example 2

  maximization - maximising small failures
• cognitive bias example 3

  mind reading - assuming you know what someone's thinking
• cognitive bias example 4

  fortune telling - assuming you can predict the outcome of future events
• the negative triad

  A) the world

  B) the future

  C) oneself

  
• the ABC model

  a - activating event

  b - belief

  c - consequence
• the abc model

  ellis proposed many problems are caused by irrational and self defeating beliefs that put unreasonable demands on the individual
• mustabatory thinking - the source of irrational belief systems, thinking that certain ideas/assumptions must be true for an individual to be happy

  1. i must be approved of or accepted by people i find important
  2. i must do well or i am worthless
  3. the world must give me happiness or i'll die!!!!
• strength of cognitive explanation - evidence

  bates et al found that depressed P's who were given negative automatic thoughts statements became more depressed

  negative thinking is associated with depression

  grazioli and terry - women judged to have a cognitive vulnerability more likely to develop post natal depression
• strength of cognitive explanation - practical app.

  developed CBT

  successful in reducing symptoms and improving management of depression

  positive impact on economy - return to jobs/better workers

  negative impact on economy - nhs
• weakness of cognitive explanation

  blames the patient, it's all in your head!

  ignores environenmental factors

  unhelpful, may demotivate patients as they feel responsible
• characteristics of depression

  behavioural - sleep changes

  cognitive - suicidal ideation

  emotional - guilt