Psychopathology: depression Flashcards
Outline and define depression
Depression is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest.
Also called major depression OR clinical depression, it affects how you feel, think and behave
and can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems.
Depression is a fairly common mood disorder. Globally, it is estimated that 5% of adults
suffer from depression and is a leading cause of disability worldwide.
To be diagnosed, typically the disorder must be interfering with day-to-day functioning.
Outline emotional characteristics of depression
Lowered mood- usually for at least 2 weeks
anger- directed at self and others
lowered self-esteem- feeling worthless and empty
lessened concern with or lack of pleasure in daily activities
Outline behavioural characteristics of depression
Reduced energy- can lead o withdrawal from everyday activities
Insomnia- reduced sleep
increase/decrease in appetite - lead to weight change (5% of BMI)
aggression- towards others or self
reduced levels of social interaction
poor personal hygiene
cognitive characteristics of depression
poor concentration- difficulties attending to a task and/or problem making decisions
cognitive biases- focus on negative aspects of a situation
black and white thinking- bad situations are exacerbated, no imbetween
delusions of guilt, punishment, personal, inadequacy and disease
thoughts of death
poor decision making
What is Beck’s Negative Triad…
- negative view of self
- negative view of future
- negative view of world
Beck’s Negative Triad stems from NEGATIVE SCHEMAS….elaborate
- people who have become depressed have developed negative self-schemas and therefore still interpret all the information about themselves in a negative way
-e.g. ineptness schema- an expectation of failure- self-blame schema- a feeling of responsibility for all misfortunes
Beck’s Negative Triad stems from negative schemas and maintained by COGNITIVE BIASES… elaborate
- arbitrary inference: conclusions drawn without sufficient evidence
- minimisation: minimising any positive events in life
- overgeneralization: sweeping conclusions drawn on the basis of a single event
These cognitive distortions feed into an individual’s own self-perception and views about
their place in the world, which can potentially lead to depression.
Explain Ellis’s ABC model
Ellis proposed that depression was mainly the result of irrational thoughts about external
events. To explain this he proposed a simple concept known as the ABC model. Ellis
claimed depression was not really the result of the activating event, but more based on the
accompanying beliefs (cognitions) about the event.
(A) an activating event, the response to which is affected by
(B) an indivdual’s beliefs which results in
(C) a consquence
Evaluative points for cognitive explanation of depression: practical applications
P: The explanation of depression has led to useful practical applications that help society and
those suffering from depression
E: For example, Beck and Ellis’ cognitive explanations from the basis of cognitive behavioural therapy, where irrational negative beliefs are challenged to help reduce depressive symptoms
L: Therefore, it could be suggested that the high success rate of CBT validates the cognitive
theories.
C: However, we need to be careful of undertaking a treatment fallacy by assuming the success
of treatments can be directly linked to the effectiveness of the theories.
Evaluative points for cognitive explanation of depression: incomplete explanation
P: While the theory is adequate in explaining a sufferer’s current state of mind, it does not
fully outline the steps and processes for how the sufferer came to think in this way in much
detail.
E: For example, although negative thinking are symptoms of depression, how did this arise in the first place?
E: the cognitive approach is vague in establishing how this occurs and why certain people seem more susceptible to these type of thinking patterns than others
L: This limits the extent to which we can practically use these theories and it could be argued
that the… explanation in some ways is incomplete
Evaluative points for cognitive explanation of depression: evidence
P: There is a wealth of evidence that supports the role of cognition in depression.
E: the temple wisconsin study of cognitive vulnerability to depression sampled uni students, none of which were suffering with depression, and were assessed every few months for 2 years
E: Results for first 2 years showed 17% of those with high scores on negative thinking went on to experience a period of severe depression compared to 1% of those with low scores
L: This illustrates the significant role of cognition in cases of depression.
Evaluative points for cognitive explanation of depression: more holistic than other accounts
P: While not holistic, the cognitive explanations do take into account other aspects, such as
genes and environment.
E: Beck and elli both suggest that aspects of the environment contribute to the development of depression and negative thinking
E: Ellis discusses activating events whereas beck suggest people develop negative outlooks in life because of rejection in childhood.
L: This suggests… that unlike the biological or learning approaches this offers a more complete explanation of depression
Evaluative points for cognitive explanation of depression:
Describe what is meant by CBT for depression
CBT works to try and challenge irrational thinking and ultimately improve the behaviour of
depressed patients.
Simultaneously tackles both cognition and behaviour. Therapy is usually weekly or fortnightly sessions of approx 30 mins- 1 hr for 6 weeks - 6mths
The therapy focuses on the present though the therapist may ask about the past in case that has any bearing
What are the 4 stages of CBT for depression?
- IDENTIFYING NEGATIVE THINKING PATTERNS IN DEPRESSED PATIENTS
- CHALLENGING IRRATIONAL THOUGHTS OF DEPRESSED PATIENTS
- SKILL ACQUISITION AND APPLICATION
- FOLLOW-UP
