Cognitive approach to explain and treat depression

• What are the key assumptions of the cognitive approach to explain depression?

  -Depression is caused by faulty cognitions and faulty thinking processes

  -Irrational and illogical thinking causes depression
• Describe Ellis' ABC model

  1962

  • Proposed depression is caused by faulty beliefs
  • When a difficult or unpleasant situation happens, we try to explain it ourselves
  • Our beliefs about the cause of the situation create a reaction - how we feel and how we behave
• Define musturbatory thinking

  Believing certain ideas or assumptions must be true in order for an individual to be happy
• What does the ABC model stand for?

  Activating Event

  Beliefs

  Consequences
• Describe Beck's Negative Triad

  1967

  • Claimed depression is caused by a negative self schema that maintains a negative triad
  • The triad is a negative view of ourselves, our future and the world
  • These negative self schemas are developed during childhood
  • Examples of negative self schemas are: self blame schema, ineptness schema, negative self evaluation schema
• What is cognitive bias?

  Depressed people also misinterpret and distort information
• Name and explain 6 cognitive biases

  Arbitrary inferences - drawing negative conclusions of the back of insufficient evidence

  Selective thinking - focusing on negative details or events while ignoring positive ones

  Overgeneralisation - drawing sweeping conclusions based on a single incident

  Catastrophising - exaggerating a minor setback until it becomes a complete disaster

  Personalising - taking responsibility and blame for all unpleasant things that happen

  Black and white thinking - seeing everything in terms of success or failure
• What are strengths of the cognitive explanation for depression?

  Supporting evidence:

  • Lewinsohn - groups of teenagers with negative and irrational thoughts and groups without. 12 months later, those with negative thoughts were more likely to be suffering from depression
  • Bates et al - depressed patients were found to make more errors in logic when interpreting written material

  Practical application

  • CBT
  • Patient is challenged on their irrational thoughts and beliefs and replaced with positive thinking strategies
  • This has a positive impact on individual's experience and quality of life
• What are the weaknesses of the cognitive explanation for depression?

  -It is not entirely clear whether depression is caused by irrational thought processes or whether the thoughts are a result - the explanation may not be valid

  -Machine reductionism, ignores biological approach such as depression being a condition caused by genes and neurotransmitters - the explanation is too simplistic

  -Irrational beliefs may not be that irrational in reality as it is a matter of opinion what is irrational - explanation may not have external validity and is not providing support
• What are the key assumptions of the cognitive approach to treating depression?

  -Depression can be treated using a form of psychotherapy called cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)

  -Through identification of irrational beliefs, coping strategies for depression can be developed, leading to behavioural change
• What does REBT stand for?

  Rational emotive behavioural therapy
• What does REBT stand for?

  Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy
• What is the primary goal of REBT?

  • To reduce depression
  • To help clients identify irrational thoughts and beliefs
  • To establish desired goals for emotional well-being
• How does a therapist assist a client in REBT?

  The therapist teaches the client to identify irrational thoughts and beliefs.
• What is the process of changing irrational beliefs in REBT?

  The client is taught to replace irrational beliefs with positive and rational ones.
• What does the client do to dispute their irrational beliefs in REBT?

  The client is encouraged to dispute their irrational, self-defeating beliefs.
• What is the outcome of effective disputing in REBT?

  Effective disputing changes beliefs, leading to new feelings that reduce symptoms of depression.
• What is the purpose of reality testing in REBT?

  To show clients that their beliefs are inaccurate and irrational.
• What type of assignments are given to clients in REBT for practice?

  Homework assignments to practice positive and rational thinking.
• How does the therapist contribute to the client's self-worth in REBT?

  The therapist provides unconditional positive regard to help the client value themselves.
• Name and explain examples of disputing

  Logical disputing - self defeating beliefs that don't seem reasonable

  Empirical disputing - self defeating beliefs that may not be consistent with reality

  Pragmatic disputing - self defeating beliefs are useless