Depression (Psychopathology)

Question 1

Depression

Answer 1

Mood disorder characterised by low mood, lack of energy and motivation and loss of interest in activities that were once pleasurable

Question 2

Acronym for Emotional, Behavioural and Cognitive characteristics of depression

Answer 2

E- GS
B- RDA
C- PD

Question 3

2 Emotional characteristics of depression

GS

Answer 3

Guilt: feeling they have no value in comparison to others

Sadness: persistent low mood

Question 4

3 Behavioural characteristics of depression

RDA

Answer 4

Reduced levels of energy (lethargic). Leads to withdrawal from work, education and social life.

Disruption to sleep and eating behaviour: can lead to insomnia and changes in weight

Aggression: to others/ self harm

Question 5

2 Cognitive characteristics of depression

PD

Answer 5

Poor concentration: can’t give full attention to tasks

Dwelling on the negative: focuses on more negative aspects than positive

Question 6

Cognitive approach to depression

Answer 6

Argues depression is due to irrational thoughts from maladaptive internal mental processes

Question 7

Becks negative triad

Answer 7

3 Schemas with persistent automatic negative bias

The Self - feeling ‘inadequate or unworthy’

The World - Thinking people are ‘hostile or threatening’

The Future - Thinking ‘things will always turn out badly’

Triad develops in childhood but provides framework for biases in adulthood, leading to cognitive distortions

Question 8

Ellis’ ABC Theory

Answer 8

-Activating event A: Anything that happens to someone
-Beliefs B: People with depression have irrational beliefs
-Consequence C: Irrational beliefs lead to consequences

Question 9

Supporting evidence for Beck (evaluations for the cognitive approach to depression)

Answer 9

Grazioli and Terry 2000 assessed 65 pregnant women for cognitive vulnerability and depression before and after birth
Those high in cognitive vulnerability were more likely to suffer post-natal depression

Question 10

Negative Evaluations for the cognitive approach to depression

Answer 10

Blames the person with depression rather than the situation

Question 11

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (3)

Answer 11

Breaking the cycle of maladaptive thinking, feelings and behaviour.

Focused on present struggles, not past ones

CBT aims to get the person to a point where they can fix their problems independently.

Question 12

CBT 1 (Beck’s CBT)

Answer 12

Challenges the negative triad of the client

Identify irrational beliefs and replace them with realistic and balanced ones

Provide information on how they see themselves, the future and the world to develop positive thinking

Question 13

CBT 2 (Ellis’ Rational Emotive Behavioural Therapy)

Answer 13

REBT identifies irrational beliefs and replaces them with a more reasonable realistic view

REBT extends the ABC model to an ABCDE model
-D= Dispute (challenge the thoughts)
-E= Effect (see a more beneficial effect on thought and behaviour)

Question 14

Positive Evaluation of CBT

Answer 14

-March et al 2007 supports its effectiveness in reducing symptoms of depression

Question 15

Positive Evaluation of CBT and Drug Treatment used together

Answer 15

Keller et al 2000

Recovery rates from depression
-55% with drugs
-52% with CBT
-85% when used together

Question 16

Negative Evaluation of CBT

Answer 16

Depression can be so severe that patients cannot motivate themselves to engage in therapy

This means that CBT cannot be the sole treatment in all cases

Question 17

Comparing CBT and Drug treatments

Answer 17

CBT avoids withdrawal symptoms and side effects
Patient also feels more empowered and in control

Yet Drugs work faster and require less commitment