Cognitive approach to treating depression

Question 1

What is cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)?

Answer 1

-Cognitive element:Therapist and patient work together to clarify client’s problems and then create a plan to to achieve them
identify the patients negative or irrational beliefs and change them/disprove them

-Behavioural element: change the negative beliefs and replace them with healthy and effective behaviours - behavioural activation

Question 2

What might a cognitive behavioural therapist assign the patient with

Answer 2

-Homework tasks after they identify their irrational beliefs as part of Beck’s triad
-Homework tasks might include recording a time where they enjoyed an event- this is used as evidence to challenge patients beliefs- this is called client as scientist

Question 3

What is Ellis’ Rational Emotive Therapy?

Answer 3

-Extends ABC model to ABC-Dispute-Effect
-central component of REBT is vigorous argument/ dispute of irrational beliefs
- break the link between negative events and depression

Question 4

What are the 2 types of dispute in REBT?

Answer 4

-logical argument: involved disputing whether the negative event logically follows from fact
-empirical argument: involves disputing whether their is actual evidence to support the belief

Question 5

What is behavioural activation?

Answer 5

-Therapist encourages patient to engage in enjoyable activities or exercise to provide more evidence for irrational nature of
beliefs
-reduce avoidance behaviour

Question 6

What are the strengths of CBT and REBT?

Answer 6

-Evidence for effectiveness: John March et al. (2007) compared CBT to anti-depressants and a combination of both when treating 327 adolescents. After 36 weeks,81% of CBT and 81% of antidepressants and 86% in both group significantly improved. This means CBT is an effective treatment for depression

-Cost effective: CBT often only takes 6-12 sessions so is not a long procedure. This means that alot of money and resources are not used by the NHS in providing this treatment which is good. Therefore, CBT is first choice of treatment for public health systems such as the NHS.

Question 7

-What are the weaknesses of CBT and REBT?

Answer 7

Not suitable for learning disabilities: Peter Sturmey (2005) suggested that in any form psychotherapy is not suitable for those with learning disabilities as it may be too complex
However: John Taylor et al. (2008) concluded that when used appropriately it is appropriate for people with learning disabilities

-Relapse rates: Shehzad Ali et al. (2007) assessed depression in 439 clients every month for 12 months following a CBT course.
-42% of the clients relapsed into depression within 6 months and 53% within a year