Cognitive approach - depression Flashcards
(21 cards)
Cognitive approach :
The approach focuses on how our mental processes affect behaviour.
Who are the two psychiatrists involved ?
Beck and Ellis
What was Beck’s explanation to explaining depression ?
Beck suggested a cognitive approach as to why some people were more vulnerable.Beck suggested a persons cognitions create this cognitive vulnerability
What are the three parts to cognitive vulnerability ?
Faulty information processing
negative schemas
negative traid
What is faulty information processing ?
-When depressed we attend the negative aspects of a situation rather than the positives.
-We tend to blow small problems out of proportion and think in ‘black and white’ terms.
What is a schema ?
- A schema is a pacakge of ideas and information developed through an experience.
It acts AS A MENTAL FRAMEWORK for the interpretation of sensory information
What is a self schema ?
A self schema is the package of information we have about ourselves. We use schemas to interpret the world.
What is a negative schema ?
A negative self schema is where we interpret all information about ourselves in a negative way
What is the negative triad ?
Beck proposed three kinds of negative thinking that contributed to becoming depressed ; negative view of the world,future and the self.
What does the negative triad say :
It says that such negative views can lead to a person to interpret their experiences in a negative way and so make them more vulnerable to depression
What are the three elements if the negative triad:
Negative views of the world
Negative views of the self
Negative views of the future
What is the negative view of the self ?
Looking at the world in a negative way.
It creates the impression there is no hope anywhere
What is the negative view of the future ?
‘There isnt much chance that the economy will get better’
These thoughts reduce any hopefulness and enhance depression
What is the negative view of the self ?
‘iam a failure’ Such thoughts enhance depression and existing depressive feelings - confirm emotions of low self esteem
What is Ellis’ ABC model ?
The ABC model was used to explain how irrational thoughts affect behaviour and emotional state.
What did psychiatrist Ellis suggest ?
Ellis suggested a different cognitive explanation of depression. He said conditions like anxiety and depression result from irrational thoughts.
What are irrational thoughts?
Illogical and unrealistic thoughts that interfere with us being happy and pain free.
What does ABC stand for ?
A - Activating event
B-Beliefs
C-Consequences
Activating event :
Ellis focused on situations which irrational thoughts were triggered by external events.
According to Ellis , we get depressed when we experience negative events and these trigger irrational beliefs.
Beliefs :
-The belief that must always succeed or achieve perfection ‘musturbation’.
-‘ I-cant-stand-it-itis’ is the belief that is a major disaster whenevr something does not go smoothly.
-Uptopianism : belief that life is always meant to be fair
Consequences:
When an activating event triggers irrational beliefs - there are emotional and behavioural consequences.
