explaining depression

• Beck's cognitive approach explains why some individuals are more prone to depression, attributing this susceptibility to their thought patterns. He proposes three aspects of cognitive vulnerability:  
• Firstly, faulty information processing which includes selective attention to negatives as well as 'black and white' thinking. Second, negative self-schemas, where individuals interpret all information about themselves negatively. Finally, ‘the negative triad’ includes pessimistic views of the world, future, and self, which worsen depressive feelings by reinforcing hopelessness and low self-esteem.
• On the other hand, Ellis proposed a cognitive explanation outlining that rational thinking fosters mental well-being, whereas irrational thoughts is any thought that interferes with us being happy. His ABC model illustrated how activating events trigger irrational beliefs, such as 'musturbation' (demanding perfection), 'I-can't-stand-it-itis' (catastrophizing setbacks), and utopianism (expecting fairness). These beliefs lead to emotional and behavioural consequences, like depression following perceived failure due to unrealistic expectations.
• Point: A strength generally of Beck's cognitive model of depression is the existence of supporting research.

  Evidence: Clark and Beck (1999) found that cognitive vulnerabilities, like faulty information processing and negative self-schema, were common in depressed individuals and preceded depression.

  Explain: Additional research confirmed that cognitive vulnerability predicted later depression in adolescents.

  Link: Therefore, this shows an association between cognitive vulnerability and depression, indicating its role in the development of depressive symptoms.
• Point: A further strength of Beck's cognitive model of depression is its applications in screening and treatment for depression.

  Evidence: Cohen (2019) concluded that assessing cognitive vulnerability allows screening for individuals at risk of future depression and to monitor them.

  Explain: Understanding cognitive vulnerability informs cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), which targets maladaptive cognitions to enhance resilience against depressive symptoms.

  Link: Thus, Beck's cognitive model offers practical utility in clinical practice, aiding in both prevention and treatment of depression.
• Point: A strength of Ellis's ABC model is its real-world application in the psychological treatment of depression.

  Evidence: David (2018) indicates that rational emotive behaviour therapy (REBT), based on Ellis's ABC model, can effectively change negative beliefs and alleviate depressive symptoms.

  Explain: This is achieved through vigorously arguing and challenging a depressed person’s irrational beliefs.

  Link: Hence, REBT derived from Ellis's ABC model holds significant value in clinical settings for managing depression.
• Point: One limitation of Ellis's ABC model of depression is that it only explains reactive depression and not endogenous depression.

  Evidence: While Ellis's model addresses depression triggered by life events ('activating events'), it overlooks cases of endogenous depression, which lack identifiable triggers.

  Explain: This limitation restricts the explanatory power of Ellis's model, as it fails to account for depression unrelated to external circumstances.

  Link: Consequently, Ellis's model offers only a partial explanation for depression, primarily applicable to reactive forms of the disorder.