14. The Cognitive Approach To Treating Depression AO1

Question 1

What do the the patient and therapist do in the process of CBT?

Answer 1

• They work together to clarify patients problems

- Identify where there might be negative or irrational thoughts that will benefit from being challenged

Question 2

What is the aim of CBT?

Answer 2

To identify negative thoughts about the self, the world and the future - the negative triad

Question 3

What must the patient do in CBT?

Answer 3

They must challenge their thoughts and take an active role in their treatment

Question 4

What is the patient encouraged to do it the ‘patient as scientist’ process?

Answer 4

To test the reality of their irrational beliefs

Question 5

Outline the process of ‘patient as scientist’ - use an example

Answer 5

They might be set homework e.g. To record when they enjoyed an event or when people are nice to them, in the future sessions if patients say that no one is nice to them or there is no point going on then the therapist can produce this evidence to prove the patient’s beliefs are incorrect

Question 6

What is REBT and who came up with it?

Answer 6

Ellis’ Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy

Question 7

Outline the stages of the ABCDE model and who studied it

Answer 7

Ellis identified the stages as:

• Activating event
• Beliefs
• Consequences
• Dispute irrational beliefs
• Effect

Question 8

Outline how challenging irrational beliefs occurs

Answer 8

A patient might talk about how unlucky they have been or how unfair life is, a REBT therapist would then identify this as Utopianism, and challenge it as an irrational belief

Question 9

What are the two stages of challenging irrational beliefs?

Answer 9

• Empirical argument

- Logical argument

Question 10

Explain empirical argument

Answer 10

Is there evidence to support the irrational belief

Question 11

Explain logical argument

Answer 11

Does the negative thought actually follows from the facts

Question 12

What is behavioural activation?

Answer 12

As individuals become more depressed, they tend to increasingly avoid difficult situations and become isolated, which maintains or worsens symptoms

Question 13

What is the goal of treatment for depression?

Answer 13

To work with the depressed individuals to gradually decrease their avoidance and isolation and increase their engagement in activities that have been shown to improve mood e.g. Exerting, going out to dinner