Lesson 10 - CBT in treating depression

Question 1

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

Answer 1

• Beck (also developed the cognitive triad)
• Can be done individually or in small groups
• Focuses on present experiences, not the past
• Encourages thought-catching or negative thoughts and turning them into more positive ones that can impact their behaviour
• Patients are encouraged to be ’scientists’ and test out their negative thoughts in real life and keep a diary of events to help them challenge their negative thoughts. They can look back and see that good things do happen.
• Attending weekly sessions

Question 2

Strengths of CBT

Answer 2

• Widely respected and it is cost effective and economical
• Praised as it normally gets to the root of the issue. Medication and drugs are sometimes just a a ‘plaster’. Can work as a cure
• Can be a long term cure for depression, relapse rates are low compared to other treatments

Question 3

Cujipers (2013)

Answer 3

• Weakness of CBT
• Found that CBT on its own its less ineffective than if it paired with anti-depressant drugs. While CBT is effective and respected, its effectiveness has been overestimated.
• CBT is no more or less effective than other psychotherapies and pharmacotherapies.
• Drugs require less ‘effort’

Question 4

Weaknesses of CBT

Answer 4

• Cujipers (2013)
• Better for people with mild depression, not as effective in severe cases. Drugs may be more appropriate

Question 5

Rational Emotive Behavioural Therapy

Answer 5

• Ellis (1975)
• Using the ABC model to challenge irrational thinking
• Patients are encouraged to practice positive and optimistic thinking, as negative thinking results in negative self-statements
• Patients are given homework to try and ‘test’ irrational beliefs
• Patients are encouraged to participate in behavioural activation, which is being more active and doing pleasurable activities that they enjoy.

Question 6

Steps of REBT

Answer 6

D - Logical Disputing, challenging logic (“Does this way of thinking make sense?)

• Empirical Disputing, where is the evidence? (“There is little proof of everyone hating you”)

E - Effects on attitudes on life, disputing can turn negative beliefs into positive ones and rational interpretations on events

F - Feelings, as the patient will feel more positive and have a more positive and rational outlook

Question 7

Strengths of REBT

Answer 7

• Flannaghan et al (1997)
• David (2008)

Question 8

Weaknesses of REBT

Answer 8

• Cause and effect, is negative thinking the cause or symptom of depression? If it is purely a symptom, REBT would not be getting to the root cause, and relapse could occur
• Relies on the patient being able to comfortably talk about their feelings and communicate effectively. Those with severe depression may not be able to do this
• Psychologists need to develop a good relationship with the client and generally be very skilled for REBT to be effective

Question 9

Flannaghan (1997)

Answer 9

• Supports REBT
• Suggests that REBT can be effective on certain groups of patients, as people with post-stroke depression gained more positive thoughts and behaviours

Question 10

David (2008)

Answer 10

• Supports REBT is more effective than drug therapy
• 170 depressive patients who were put on 14 weeks of REBT had better long term outcomes than patients who were put on fluoxetine/Prozac. REBT is more effective than drug therapy