Cognitive explanations of depression

• Depression occurs through faulty information processing, irrational thinking and negative schemas (pockets of organised information).
• Beck's negative triad states depression occurs when we develop a dysfunctional way of thinking where we have negative views of the world, ourselves, and the future.
• A schema acts as a mental framework for sensory information and if we interpret these schemas wrong, we may develop depression.
• Faulty information processing refers to the way in which we only attend to the negative aspects of the information.
• Ellis' ABC model states depression is the result of irrational thoughts. These thoughts interfere with us, preventing us from being happy and free from pain.
• The A

  Stands for Activating event which refers to negative events which we experience leading to irrational beliefs. For example you fail a test.
• The B

  Stands for belief which occur after a negative event. These beliefs are irrational and refer to what we think about the situation. They are not based on facts. For example, feeling like you'll never pass your a levels.
• The C

  Stands for consequence which is triggered after an irrational belief and can be emotional or behavioural. An example includes dropping out of college because you feel it's impossible to pass your a levels.