Outline the cognitive explanation of depression
Cognitive explanation (12 marks – 4+8) The cognitive explanation of depression is a psychological explanation proposed by Beck. He believed that people who are depressed make fundamental errors in logic. Beck (1991) proposed that depression is rooted in three maladaptive assumptions: negative thoughts of self; of circumstances; and of the future which is known as the cognitive triad. He suggested that depressive people draw illogical conclusions which lead to a distorted reality. An example of these cognitive distortions is Magnification; the tendency to exaggerate the significance of an event and Minimisation; the tendency to underplay a positive event. Beck also does not rule out a genetic component as he also suggests that negative cognitions may be as a result of inheriting different temperaments and that traumatic events and negative treatment in childhood can create negative schemas. One of these types of negative schemas that characterise depression is sociotrophy which relates to interpersonal relationships and individuals. A strength of the cognitive explanation of depression is that it has practical applications for the treatment of depression. They have stimulated huge amounts of research that has contributed to our understanding of the disorder and how to treat it. They have given rise to one of the most effective treatment for depression – CBT. This
Is Cognitive Therapy an Efficacious Treatment for Depression?
Is Cognitive Therapy an Efficacious Treatment for Depression? Tesni Rowlands Deakin University Waurn Ponds Subject: HPS308 Psychopathology Assignment: Assignment 1 Essay Student No.: 700165229 Unit Chair: Dr Eric Koukounas Tutor: Shannon Hyder Submitted: 25 August 2010 Word Count: 2016 Is Cognitive Therapy an Efficacious Treatment for Depression? Introduction Major depressive disorder, better known as clinical depression, is a mental disorder which is characterized by symptoms such as feelings of worthlessness, loss of sleep, loss of interest and an inability to experience pleasure for a period lasting longer than two weeks (Barlow & Durand, 2005). Traditionally, depression was treated using antidepressant medication (ADM) and was seen as the most standard treatment for severe depression (Dimidjian, Hollon, Dobson, Schmaling, et al., 2006). However, ADM was not useful for all forms of depression, with some patients refusing to take medication due to the harmful side effects. Therefore, psychotherapy techniques, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) became increasingly popular for the treatment of depression and were given a high level of credibility. The way in which CBT was used to treat depression was to identify and alter negative thinking styles and replaced them with positive beliefs and attitudes. Similarly, IPT
How does cognitive theory explain the aetiology of depression? Briefly describe the treatment for depression that is derived from cognitive theorists. Evaluate theories and justify your answer using research.
How does cognitive theory explain the aetiology of depression? Briefly describe the treatment for depression that is derived from cognitive theorists. Evaluate theories and justify your answer using research. In this essay, the symptoms of depression will be described and aetiology discussed from a cognitive viewpoint. In particular, Seligman's learned helplessness (1975); Abramson's (1978) revision of learned helplessness; Beck's 'cognitive distortion' model (1976), and Teasdale's differential activation hypothesis (1988) shall be evaluated. Cognitive theorists generally regard thought processes as causative factors in depression. The treatment of depression proposed by cognitive theorists will also be assessed in detail, and empirical evidence shall be considered. Finally, a conclusion of the efficacy of cognitive theory regarding depression shall be presented and suggestions offered regarding the direction in which research should go in the future. Many psychologists and psychiatrists alike have described the symptoms of depression; however, one description is particularly apt. "Mood is sometimes dominated by a profound inward dejection and gloomy hopelessness, sometimes more by indefinite anxiety and restlessness. The patient's heart is heavy, nothing can permanently rouse his interest, nothing gives him pleasure . . ." Kraeplin (1921, p. 76). Depression is termed an
The pros & cons of cognitive behavioral therapy being used as a tool to defeat depression & discrimination.
THE PROS & CONS OF COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY BEING USED AS A TOOL TO DEFEAT DEPRESSION & DISCRIMINATION Personality & Counseling Theory Professor Thomas McDonough 1-08-2004 By: Donovan Howard The purpose of this paper is to investigate the pros and cons of cons of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and determine if the approach this discipline presents may have productive effects for individuals that are afflicted by emotional duress / depression, due to the causal factor of institutional racism, which is the Achilles heel of American society, and has been the heart beat for in differential treatment between the races for several centuries. Definition Cognitive-behavioral therapy is an action-oriented form of psychosocial therapy that assumes that maladaptive, or faulty, thinking patterns cause maladaptive behavior and "negative" emotions. (Maladaptive behavior is behavior that is counter-productive or interferes with everyday living.) The treatment focuses on changing an individual's thoughts (cognitive patterns) in order to change his or her behavior and emotional state. Purpose Theoretically, cognitive-behavioral therapy can be employed in any situation in which "there is a pattern of unwanted behavior accompanied by distress and impairment. It is a recommended treatment option for a number of mental disorders, including affective (mood)
To what extent can cognitive theories of depression explain the onset as well as maintenance of the disorder?
To what extent can cognitive theories of depression explain the onset as well as maintenance of the disorder? Seligman's original learned helplessness theory (1975) was based on the experimental examination of two groups of dogs. The experimental group were given unavoidable electric shocks repeatedly, while the control group were given the same shocks but with the option of escaping them. The experimental group showed what Seligman described as 'learned helplessness' (characterized by lethargy, sluggishness, loss of appetite) Seligman theorized that this phenomenon was a result of a perceived lack of control, and he generalized it into a theory of human clinical depression. In other words, he theorised that if you expose a person to a stressor and they perceive no control over it, they will respond with learned helplessness. However, Seligman's theory has received major criticisms, namely: you cant generalise from a sample of one species of animal to humans: Blankley, 1978 Seligman's theory doesn't explain individual differences: why do some people deal with stressors well and others poorly? In an attempt to deal with the individual differences criticism, Abramson introduced attributional styles into the theory of learned helplessness 4 basic premises: Expected aversiveness (expecting that highly aversive outcomes are probable) Expected uncontrollability
abnormal psychology/depression
ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY PSY 03 WORD COUNT ,730 MAXINE JACKSON APRIL 2008 What is abnormal or normal? Abnormal literally means 'away from the normal'. Although it does not state what normal is. What is meant by normal differs over time and across cultures; it depends, to a certain extent on circumstances. Is something normal because the majority are doing it? During the Second World War thousands of innocent people were murdered in the name of Adolf Hitler. The Nazi's became the majority; however this does not make their behaviour normal. One way to decide what behaviour is normal is to consider how usual it is. In that case then, behaviour that is less common is abnormal. Society has standards to which they expect people to conform, this reflects on how people behave. These standards are classed as normal. Anyone who violates society standards is then abnormal. All societies are different and they expect different behaviour, because of this it is impossible to give a universal meaning of the word abnormal. It is difficult to class a person as abnormal or indeed normal, because of the differences in people to begin with. "A statistical norm is to do with a way of being, a quality or representation that is expressed or understood by many individuals. In other words, it is called average. High intelligence is as abnormal as low intelligence." J Cullberg (2006:09) Not
Would cognitive behavioural therapy in conjunction with routine diabetic treatment be more efficient in managing depression in patients with Type 2 diabetes than routine treatment alone?
Would cognitive behavioural therapy in conjunction with routine diabetic treatment be more efficient in managing depression in patients with Type 2 diabetes than routine treatment alone? Introduction The essay presented below is aimed at finding evidence-based answer to my question: "Would cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) in conjunction with routine diabetic treatment be more efficient in managing depression in patients with Type 2 diabetes than routine treatment alone?" It also involves the critical appraisal of a study which has tried to answer the above question, followed by the systematic review of 5 articles closely related to the topic. The aim of this essay is to investigate whether psychological interventions in diabetic patients with depression are effective in improving clinical outcomes. When looking into the medical treatment given to diabetic patients nationwide in the UK, I came across several non-pharmacological therapies that could improve the patients' adherence and control over their condition. The efficacy and the cost effectiveness of such therapies combined with usual treatment appeared to be an interesting topic to investigate. I have narrowed down the available therapies and specified my systematic literature search on Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, as its use in the management of depression in diabetes has recently become more popular in the UK and
Cognitive Theories in Psychology
FIELDSEND COGNITIVE THEORIES IN PSYCHOLOGY * Therapies based on the cognitive model attempt to show people that their distorted/irrational thoughts are the main contributors to their disorder. By changing faulty thinking, disorders can be treated. * Bandura's approach to therapy uses modelling. As well as changing behaviour, models aim to change thoughts and perceptions. Modelling is useful in the treatment of phobias and is also effective in assertiveness and social skills training. One reason for this is the development of self -efficiency. * Ellis sees emotional difficulties as a result of 'irrational beliefs'. People have the capacity for rational understanding, but are also capable of deluding themselves and thinking irrationally. Rational-emotive therapy (RET) aims to help people find flaws in their thinking by creating a dispute belief system. * When irrational beliefs have been identified, they are substituted by more realistic ones. RET is an active, direct and argumentative approach, which has been questioned by those who stress empathy's importance in therapy. However it seems to be effective for certain disorders. * Beck's cognitive restructuring therapy also sees disorders as stemming from irrational beliefs. The therapy is specifically designed to treat depression, and is effective in this. In a less confrontational way than RET, it identifies
The Cognitive Model.
The Cognitive Model The main idea of the cognitive model is that it's the individuals way of thinking that creates the disorder (abnormality), and that it's the distorted and irrational thinking that is the cause rather than maladaptive behaviour Warren and Zgourides (1991) describe that it was the 'must' thoughts of these individuals that create the disorder, for example 'I must perform well otherwise it will be awful'. Kovacs and Beck (1978) underlined some key ideas of the cognitive model, they said that 'from commonplace processes such as faulty learning, making incorrect inferences on the basis of inadequate or incorrect information, not distinguishing adequately between imagination and reality'. From this we are able to create a bond between behaviourists and cognitive approaches to define abnormality. It is assumed by the cognitive model that it is patients' experiences that cause the distorted and irrational thinking, for example patients' whom may of have diseases, such as bronchitis (serious respiratory disease), may create a panic disorder and greatly exaggerate their internal physiological state (e.g. fast heart rate)- Verburg et al., 1995. Following from this another assumption of the cognitive model is that distorted thinking is maintained within a patient because he/she is unable to put their biases of reality of reality to the test, in other words
Compare and contrast two theories of depression.
Compare and contrast two theories of depression The biological and the cognitive explanations of depression both have strong support and offer plausible explanations for the onset and graduation of the disorder. The biological approach consists of two main explanations based on neurotransmitters and the other on hormones. These theories are supported by the family, twin and adoption studies that have been carried out. The cognitive explanation of depression originated with Seligman, he developed the theory of learned helplessness and attributions. The other cognitive explanation came from Beck who stated that depression was the result of how the individual perceives themselves, the world and their future. The biological approach looked more at the influence of genes and hormones etc on the onset and continuation of the disorder. The family studies indicated that the closer the relative the higher the chance that they to will have a similar diagnosis, the phrase first-degree relatives was coined, them being sisters, brothers and parents. The twin studies further strengthened the idea that biology was the origin of depression, showing that MZ twins are more likely than DZ twins to both receive a diagnosis of depression. However it was 100% so it is also indicates environmental influences that can be seen as causing the onset of depression and it also fails to explain why the
