Cognitive Approach To Explaining And Treating Depression

Question 1

What are the two explanations for depression?

Answer 1

•Beck’s Negative Triad.
•Ellis’ ABC Model.

Question 2

Label the diagram:

Answer 2

Question 3

According to Beck, how do people become depressed?

Answer 3

People becomes depressed when they develop negative self-schemas.

Question 4

What are the three types of negative self-schemas?

Answer 4

-Ineptness schemas.
-Self-blame schemas.
-Negative self-evaluation schemas.

Question 5

What is the ineptness schema?

Answer 5

The expectation to fail.

Question 6

What is the self-blame schema?

Answer 6

Feeling of responsibility for misfortunes.

Question 7

What is the negative self-evaluation schema?

Answer 7

Reminding oneself of worthlessness.

Question 8

When and how are negative self-schemas formed?

Answer 8

During childhood and adolescence, when authority figures, such as parents, place unrealistic demands and are overly critical.

Question 9

What do negative self-schemas fuel?

Answer 9

They fuel cognitive biases, causing one to misinterpret reality.

Question 10

When are cognitive biases formed?

Answer 10

Adulthood.

Question 11

What are three examples of cognitive biases?

Answer 11

-Overgeneralisation: thinking you’ll be bad at anything related to what you dislike.
-Magnification: making a big deal of small things.
-Absolutist thinking: everything is black or white.

Question 12

What was the aim of the study of Beck at al (1974)?

Answer 12

To understand cognitive distortions in depressed patients.

Question 13

What was the method of the study of Beck at al (1974)?

Answer 13

Gathered qualitative data through interviews with therapy patients (50 depressed, 31 non-depressed).

Question 14

What were the results of the study of Beck at al (1974)?

Answer 14

Themes appeared in depressed patients that didn’t appear in non-depressed patients (low self-esteem, self-blame, anxiety due to paranoia). They regarded themselves as inferior.

Question 15

What was the conclusion of the study of Beck at al (1974)?

Answer 15

Even in mild depression, patients have cognitive differences that deviate from logical thinking.

Question 16

What was the evaluation of the study of Beck at al (1974)?

Answer 16

Possibility of social desirability. Supports the claim that non-depressed patients and depressed patients have different thinking patterns.

Question 17

What did Ellis believe caused depression?

Answer 17

Ellis believed that depressed people blame external events for their unhappiness. Their interpretation of those events are to blame.

Question 18

What does ABC mean in Ellis’ ABC Model?

Answer 18

A - Activating Event.
B - Beliefs.
C - Consequences.

Question 19

What is the activating event (A) in Ellis’ ABC Model?

Answer 19

Something happens in your environment (e.g. you’ve been dumped).

Question 20

What is the belief (B) in Ellis’ ABC Model?

Answer 20

You hold a belief about the event (e.g. RATIONAL: we weren’t compatible. IRRATIONAL: I’m not good enough).

Question 21

What is the consequence (C) in Ellis’ ABC Model?

Answer 21

You have an emotional response to your belief (e.g. low self-worth).

Question 22

People without depression act more ________ (e.g. being dumped gives you motivation to go to the gym).

Answer 22

Positively/rationally.

Question 23

What are the two treatments for depression?

Answer 23

•Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).
•Rational Emotive Behavioural Therapy (REBT).

Question 24

What is cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)?

Answer 24

A therapy that helps patients become aware of when they make negative interpretations. Their thoughts are challenged, and they develop alternate ways of thinking and behaving (aiming to reduce distress).

Question 25

What are the four phases of CBT?

Answer 25

1. Draw up a schedule of activities to become active and confident.
2. Identify and record irrational thoughts that the therapist will challenge.
3. The client and the therapist work together to challenge irrational thoughts in a scientific manner.
4. The patient is set homework to test the validity of their negative thoughts.

Question 26

What is rational emotive behaviour therapy (REBT)?

Answer 26

A therapy that identifies irrational thoughts and challenges them, making them seem more positive.

Question 27

Patients are told to practice ________ thinking.

Answer 27

Optimistic.

Question 28

Who studied the effectiveness of CBT?

Answer 28

March et al (2007).

Question 29

What was the aim of the study of March et al (2007)?

Answer 29

To test the effectiveness of different treatments on depression.

Question 30

What was the method of the study of March et al (2007)?

Answer 30

Split 327 participants (adolescents) into three groups (CBT, antidepressants, both).

Question 31

What were the results of the study of March et al (2007)?

Answer 31

After 36 weeks:
-81% of CBT improved.
-81% of antidepressants improved.
-86% of both improved.

Question 32

What was the conclusion of the study of March et al (2007)?

Answer 32

A combination of both treatments (CBT and antidepressants) are effective.

Question 33

What are the strengths of CBT?

Answer 33

-Role of the person is engaged and active rather then passive.
-Deals with root cause rather than symptoms.
-No real side effects and withdrawal symptoms.

Question 34

What are the weaknesses of CBT?

Answer 34

-Have to be committed and motivated to change.
-Expensive and time consuming.
-Client may become dependant on therapist.