treating depression

• cognitive behavioural therapy:

  • most commonly used psychological treatment for depression + range of mental health problems
• cognitive element of CBT:

  • client and therapist work together to clarify problems
  • identify goals and put a plan to achieve
  • identify irrational thoughts that will benefit
• behavioural element of CBT:

  • work to change negative and irrational thoughts + put effective behaviours into place
• beck's cognitive therapy:

  • identify thoughts in relation to triad - helps test reality
  • client set homework to gather evidence - used in future sessions to prove statements incorrect
• ellis's rational emotive behaviour therapy (REBT):

  • extends ABC model
  • D = dispute irrational thoughts
  • E = effect - change beliefs
• arguments in REBT:

  • empirical argument - dispute whether there is evidence to support belief
  • logical argument - dispute whether thoughts logically follow facts
• behavioural activation - isolation:

  • depressed people avoid difficult situations and become isolated
  • maintains or worsens symptoms
• behavioural activation:

  • work with person to decrease avoidance and isolation
  • increase in engagement in activities shown to improve mood
• EVALUATION - research support

  • March et al - found CBT as effective as antidepressants in treatment (327 sample)
  • after 36 weeks - 81% of antidepressant group + CBT group, 86% of combination group improved
  • CBT effectiveness, suggests it works well alongside medication as combination therapy
• EVALUATION - unsuitable for severe cases

  • cant motivate themselves to engage with CBT - cant attend sessions or concentrate
  • treatment is ineffective - other treatments e.g antidepressants dont require motivation, more effective
  • poses problem for CBT - only appropriate for specific range
• EVALUATION - therapist client relationship

  • Rosenzweig - relationship is most important when determining success of therapy
  • talking to someone may be crucial component in positive outcome rather than techniques
  • challenges effectiveness of methods + techniques in CBT