Cognitive

• What does the cognitive model believe?

  Mental illness is a consequence of the disruption to normal thought processes
• What is an example of the cognitive explanation?

  Beck's triad model of depression

  • This suggests that there are 3 main themes of dysfunctional thoughts that cause depression: a negative view of self, the world and the future. Beck believed that once someone is depressed they have faulty attentional processes which confirm their beliefs (as they pick out certain negative information)
• What is a cognitive treatment?

  Cognitive behavioural therapy:

  • This helps patients identify irrational and unhelpful thoughts and tries to change them based on the idea that these are the causes of the negative feelings and behaviour
  • The patient will usually have one session per week with a common theme being the introduction of positive self-talk