Depression

Question 1

What are the 3 different types of characteristics of depression?

Answer 1

Behavioural (actions)
Emotional (Feelings)
Cognitive (Information processing)

Question 2

Give an example of a behavioural characteristic of depression?

Answer 2

Reduced energy and activity levels
Changes to sleep- reduced or increased
Aggression and self-harm.

Question 3

Give an example of an emotional characteristic of depression?

Answer 3

Lowered mood, may feel empty and worthless
Lowered self-esteem, like themselves less.

Question 4

Give an example of a cognitive characteristic of depression?

Answer 4

Poor concentration: Can’t stick with one task they normally could.

Attention to dwelling on the negative: Pay more attention to neg and ignore positives.

Absolutist thinking: black and white no grey area.

Question 5

Explain Becks Triad as a cognitive explanation of depression?

Answer 5

1. Faulty information processing. Selectively focus on negative and ignore positives. Blow small things out of proportion.
2. Negative self-schemas: Interpret info about ourselves in a negative way.
3. Negative Triad; depressives have a negative view on themself, the world, the future.

Question 6

Explain Ellis’s ABC model as a cognitive explanation of depression?

Answer 6

A) Activating event may trigger…
B) an individuals BELIEF’s which lead to..
C) a consequence.

E.g.’s of irrational beliefs
*Musterbation= we must always succeed
*Utopianism= life is always meant to be fair.

Question 7

Explain Becks CBT as a cognitive approach to treating depression?

Answer 7

Developed a therapy to challenge the negative triad.

1. Assessed on clients SEVERITY of depression, establish a BASELINE.
2. Client asked to give info on how they PERCIEVE themselves, world, future.
3. Therapist uses reality testing to challenge whether in reality, the client is right about their thoughts.
4. May be given homework “Patient as scientist.” E.g. record when people are nice to them
5. Try to replace negative thinking with positive and CHALLENGE them.

Question 8

explain Ellis’s REBT as a cognitive explanation of treating depression

Answer 8

An extension of the ABC model to ABCDE
D= Dispute: challenge the thoughts
E= Effect: see a more beneficial effect on thoughts and behaviour.

Irrational beliefs challenged in a vigorous ARGUMENT in order to break the link between negative life events and depression.

Done through:
E.g. Empirical arguments. Disputing if there is actual EVIDENCE to support the NEGATIVE belief. Or logical arguments which disputes whether the negative thought LOGICALLY follows on from an act.