Cognitive Approach To Treating Depression

Question 1

Summarise what CBT is

Answer 1

Method for treating mental health disorders using cognitive and behavioural techniques from a cognitive viewpoint, therefore it is a cognitive treatment

Question 2

What is the cognitive aim for CBT and how does it work?

Answer 2

• client and therapist work together to identify irrational/neg thoughts that cause dep and challenge them into more rational/positive ones via empirical disputing
• this is where therapist will ask for evidence of these irr/neg thoughts e.g. where is the proof nobody likes you
• this is done by asking patient to complete hwk, theyre asked to write whenever someone is nice to them so therapist can use this to challenge the belief that ‘nobody likes them’ and prove them wrong

Question 3

What is the behavioural aim for CBT?

Answer 3

• works to change irr/neg thoughts and put more effective behaviours into place
• this is done through behavioural activation by encouraging depressed indv to become more active thru doing activities they once enjoyed
• this will help improve indvs mood and reduce neg thoughts
• CBT is practiced with therapist but during treatments, client will become more independent so they can use these strategies in the real world + gain control over depressive thoughts

Question 4

What are the three AO3 PEELS to evaluate CBT as a cognitive approach to treating depression?

Answer 4

RTS - dep adolescents
Weakness - requires motivation and commitment
Weakness - high relapse rates