the cognitive approach to explaining depression

the cognitive approach to explaining depression

1. Beck

   • why are some people more vulnerable to depression
     • people's cognitions
       • faulty info processing
         • focus on negatives, ignore positives
         • blow problems out of proportion
         • black & white thinking
         • glass half empty
       • negative self schemas
         • package of info about ourselves
           • negative = interpret info about ourselves negatively
       • the negative triad
         • view of the world
           • no hope in the world
         • view of future
           • reduce hopefulness & enhance depression
         • view of self
           • confirm low emotions
           • low self esteem

2. Ellis

   • depression is a result of irrational thinking
     • thoughts interfere with us being happy
   • ABC model
     • A - activating event
       • irrational thoughts are triggered
         • failing a test
     • B - beliefs
       • irrational beliefs
         • never going to pass
     • C - consequences
       • emotional & behavioural consequences
         • never get a job - life over

3. evaluation - Beck

   • good supporting evidence
     • from faulty info processing to negative self schemas
       • Terry - looked at likelihood of post natal depression
       • Clark & Beck - reviewed research on cognitions causing depression
   • practical application - CBT
     • forms basis of CBT
     • all cognitive aspects can be identified and challenged in CBT
     • strength - successful in therapy
   • doesn't explain all aspects
     • basic symptoms (depression complex)
     • can't explain
       • hallucinations/ bizarre beliefs
       • anger

4. evaluation - Ellis

   • partial explanation
     • only applies to some kinds of depression
       • following activating events (reactive depression)
   • practical applications in CBT
     • successful therapy
       • by challenging irrational beliefs
     • supports as agrees with irrational beliefs
   • doesn't explain all aspects
     • can't explain anger or hallucinations

5. evaluation +

   • cognitive primacy
     • emotions are influenced by cognitions
       • not always
         • emotion stored until some time after the activating event
   • attachment & depression
     • insecure attachments
       • more vulnerable to depression