Depression Flashcards
(28 cards)
What are 4 DSM-5 categories of depression
Major depressive disorder - severe but often short term
Persistent depressive disorder - long term or recurring depression
Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder - childhood temper tantrums
premenstrual dysphoric disorder - disruption of mood during or prior to menstruation.
Define Depression
A mental disorder characterised by low mood and low energy levels
State 3 behavioural characteristics of depression.
activity level - associated with low levels of energy making them lethargic. This could make them leave work, education and social life. Or the opposite psychomotor agitation.
Disruption to sleep and eating behaviour - a person may experience insomnia or hypersomnia and increased or decreased appetite
aggression and self harm
State 3 emotional characteristics of depression.
lowered mood - defining emotional element, often describe themselves as “worthless” and “empty”
Anger - can be directed to themselves or others
Lowered self-esteem - They like themselves less than usual, can be quite extreme to the extent of self loathing.
State 3 cognitive characteristics of depression.
poor concentration - poor concentration and poor decision making are likely to interfere with the individuals work
Attending to and dwelling on the negative - They are more likely to pay attention to negative aspects of a situation and ignore the positives. Tend to have a bias to negative experiences.
Absolutist thinking - “black and white” thinking, everything is all good or all bad.
What is Beck’s cognitive theory of depression?
Beck suggested that cognitive vulnerability (faulty thinking patterns) leads to depression. It includes faulty information processing, negative self-schemas, and the negative triad (negative views of the world, future, and self).
What is faulty information processing according to Beck?
Depressed individuals focus on the negatives, ignore positives, and think in ‘black-and-white’ terms, blowing minor issues out of proportion.
What are negative self-schemas?
Negative packages of information about oneself developed from past experiences. They lead to interpreting personal information negatively.
What is the negative triad in Beck’s theory?
A dysfunctional cycle of automatic negative thoughts:
a) Negative view of the world
b) Negative view of the future
c) Negative view of the self
Strength of Beck’s theory: Supporting evidence?
Grazioli & Terry (2000): Found pregnant women with high cognitive vulnerability were more likely to suffer post-natal depression
Limitation of Beck’s theory: Incomplete explanation?
It doesn’t explain all aspects, such as hallucinations, delusions, or Cotard syndrome (believing you’re a zombie). It also struggles to explain extreme anger.
Strength of Beck’s theory: Practical application?
Forms the basis of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). Therapists use it to challenge and change negative thinking patterns, making it useful and effective.
What is Ellis’s ABC model?
A cognitive model explaining how depression arises from irrational beliefs triggered by external events.
A – Activating event
B – Beliefs
C – Consequences
What are examples of irrational beliefs in Ellis’s theory?
Musturbation: Belief in the need to succeed always
‘I-can’t-stand-it-itis’: Belief minor failures are disasters
Utopianism: Belief life must always be fair
Strength of Ellis’s theory: Partial support?
Explains reactive depression (linked to events). Helps us understand how irrational beliefs arise from specific life triggers.
Limitation of Ellis’s model: Incomplete explanation?
Doesn’t account for depression without obvious cause. Like Beck’s model, struggles to explain hallucinations, delusions, and intense anger.
Strength of Ellis’s theory: Application in CBT?
Challenging irrational thoughts in CBT has reduced depression symptoms. Supported by research (e.g., Lipsky et al. 1980), showing irrational beliefs play a role in depression.
What is cognitive primacy in depression theories?
The idea that thoughts (cognitions) cause emotions. Depression arises from negative thinking before negative emotions, though not always.
Criticism of cognitive primacy?
Some emotions, like anger or grief, may not stem from cognition. This challenges the idea that thinking always precedes emotional response.
What is the link between attachment and depression?
Insecure attachments in childhood (as per Chapter 3 studies) increase the risk of depression in adulthood, supporting the cognitive vulnerability model.
What is Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)?
CBT is the most common psychological treatment for depression and other mental health issues. It works by helping patients identify and challenge irrational or negative thoughts to change behaviour and mood.
What is one strength of CBT as a treatment for depression?
CBT is supported by research such as March et al. (2007), who found that 81% of patients treated with CBT and antidepressants improved—equal to the effectiveness of antidepressants alone.
What is a key limitation of CBT?
It may not be suitable for the most severe cases of depression where patients lack motivation to engage. These patients may need antidepressant medication first.
What is Beck’s Cognitive Therapy in CBT?
It focuses on identifying and challenging the negative triad (negative views about the self, the world, and the future). It helps patients test the reality of their negative beliefs.
