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

  • Word count: 2393
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Social studies
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Unmasking Anxiety with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Unmasking Anxiety with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy It is not that uncommon that an individual may be late for work. They might begin to rush, and perhaps forget something at home that they needed. They may beat themselves up all day for having put themselves in that position. This scenario reflects typical anxiety. It is a normal reaction to stress by the body, but for some, it can become a chronic disorder. There are many treatments for this disorder, including prescriptions drugs, behavioral therapy, and even homeopathic remedies. Compared to these alternatives, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is the most effective long-term treatment for anxiety. There is a line between experiencing stress due to a difficult situation, and having a crippling disorder. Individuals with anxiety who wish to be treated must seek psychiatric assistance through self-help programs or doctors. Anxiety is a disorder that is often found hand in hand with depression, both of which can improve with treatment. Often times, many people do not recognize that there are different classes of anxiety disorders. Five major types of anxiety disorders include Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Panic Disorder, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PSTD), and Social Phobia (SAD), which is also known as Social Anxiety Disorder (NIMH). These types of anxiety range from the

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  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: Psychology
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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)

  • Word count: 1965
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Biological Sciences
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Discuss The Biological Explanation for Depression and Biological Treatments for Depression

Discuss The Biological Explanation for Depression and Biological Treatments for Depression The biological explanation or the 'medical model' would favour the nature side of the nature nurture debate. This approach or explanation of dysfunctional behaviour / depression asserts that something in our biology or genetic makeup is the cause of the affective disorder depression. / dysfunctional behaviour such as depression. A number of things such as genetics (a predisposition), biochemical imbalance or even malformation of the structure of the brain are seen to contribute in their own ways to a person suffering from depression. Research has provided evidence to suggest that depression, a mood disorder, may be caused by other family members being diagnosed. Having a first degree relative (parent or sibling) with depression appears to be a risk factor for depression. Family studies such as Wenders select people who already depression. Twin studies also provide evidence of depression running in families. In Wenders study (1986) they looked at the biological relatives of adopted people who had been hospitalised for severe depression. The study found a much higher incidence of severe depression in those relatives than those of a non-depressed control group Wender concluded from this research that there is a significant genetic link between unipolar depression and suicide as there

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  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: Psychology
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Depression in children

During childhood years, children are almost as susceptible to being depressed as adults. Many adults to not realize that being a child can be very frustrating, and they often feel powerless. Children can have a lot of stress in their lives and cannot deal with it as easily as adults. They have many concerns such as school, peers, parental acceptations, etc. Childhood depression is a mental illness that affects children's behavior and moods. If it is not treated, in years to come it may lead to school failure, use of alcohol and/or drugs, or even suicide. Depression in children is caused by a possible combination of several things. It can involve the child's environment, genes, or children with medical problems. The most common causes of depression evolve from children who have been abused, who have chaotic families or households, non-consistent parents, neglect, or other stressful events. Children who experience loss or who have learning disorders are more likely to be diagnosed with depression. If bad things happen to a child and there is a family history of depression, a depressed child is a very likely outcome. Unlike depressed children, those who are without so many stresses in their lives do not have as much likelihood to become easily depressed as they get older. Each child's depression is individual, and causes will be different for each one. The depression could be

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  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: Psychology
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Manic Depression.

MANIC DEPRESSION Bipolar disorder causes a person to have mood swings between extreme mania and deep depression; however, there are ways to regulate these fluctuations. Many famous artists and writers have experienced bipolar disorder throughout their lives because of unrelieved stress pertaining to their careers. Those included in that are Ernest Hemingway, Amedeo Modigliani, and Robin Williams. Researchers have found that the main cause for this disease has genetic influence. Treatment may include antidepressants and/or psychotherapy, although many patients enjoy the extreme highs and forgo treatment. In North America alone, about one percent of people experience bipolar disorder during their lives. In comparison, at least eight percent of people experience serious depression during their lives. Bipolar disorder affects men and women about equally and is somewhat more common in wealthier classes (Sommers 5-6). At least fifteen percent of people with bipolar disorder commit suicide. Bipolar disorder usually begins in a person's late teens or twenties. Men usually experience mania as the first mood episode, whereas women typically experience depression first. Episodes of mania and depression usually last from several weeks to several months. On average, people with untreated bipolar disorder experience four episodes of mania or depression over any ten-year period

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  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: Psychology
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Outline and Evaluate one biological therapy and one psychological therapy for schizophrenia

Outline and evaluate one biological therapy for schizophrenia and one psychological therapy for schizophrenia. (8 marks + 16 marks) A01 The main type of drug therapy for schizophrenia are antipsychotic drugs.They are considered the most effective because they allow the patient to function in society to a reasonable extent and feel like they have abit more control.Antipsychotic drugs can come in many forms , one being typical drugs like Chloropiazine where it is believed that schizophrenia is caused by the neurotransmitter dopamine so the drugs attach to the dopamine receptors so they isnt as much dopamine in the syynapse which reduces the positive symptoms like delusions and hallunications.There are also atypical drugs like clorapine which avoid some of the side effects as the old drugs by controlling serotonin levels aswell. There is supporting evidence for this e.g Julien which found that neuroleoptics are effective in relieving positive symptoms and allow patients to be able to live outside insitutional care.This suggests that antipsychotic are effective to an certain extent in allowing schizophrenia sufferers to be able to try and live a normal life. But antipsyhotics arent effective treatment for schizophrenia because it doesnt relieve negative symptoms of schizophrenia which are the symptoms that would prevent from socializing effectively in first place. A limitation

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  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: Psychology
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Discuss Biological Therapies for Depression.

DISCUSS BIOLOGICAL THERAPIES FOR DEPRESSION (24 MARKS) There are two biological therapies that could be used for depression. One biological therapy for depression is antidepressants. Antidepressants are drugs that relieve the symptoms of depression. They are used to treat moderate to severe depression. According to the biological theory, neurotransmitters cause depression. For example, if a person has low levels of serotonin and/or noradrenaline in their brain, this will cause them to become depressed as there would be an imbalance of the neurotransmitters in their brain. Antidepressants work by increasing the levels of these neurotransmitters so, according to the biological perspective, antidepressants should get rid of or suppress depressive symptoms. Tricyclics are one type of antidepressants. These work by raising the level of serotonin and noradrenaline in the brain. They have been shown to be effective and have fewer side effects than MAOIs and other kinds of antidepressants. MAOIs are another type of antidepressants. These work in a rather similar to tricyclics, that is, increasing the level of serotonin and noradrenaline, however, they are usually prescribed if the tricyclics do not work. This is because patients will need to change or restrict their diets as certain foods may react badly to the drug. SSRIs are another type of antidepressants. An example of a

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  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: Psychology
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Describe Psychological Therapies for Depression

One psychological therapy of depression in Psychodynamic Interpersonal Therapy, this therapy was developed by Hobson, and focuses mainly on the relationship between the therapist and patient. When a comfortable relationship is established, past events that could be the cause of depression are relived and resolved to try and relieve the pressures that they may be putting on the individual. Hobson believes that because problems in our life are usually through interpersonal relationships, we should resolve these problems through a therapeutic relationship. The quality of the relationship is crucial for the effectiveness of the therapy. PIT consists of several interlinking components, of which include ‘explanatory rationale’ and ‘staying with feelings’. A potential strength of PIT is that it is just as effective if not more so than current treatments at improving depressive symptoms. Research support comes from Elkin, who found that when compared to CBT, PIT is just as effective at treating depression. This is strength because PIT provides an alternative treatment to CBT that is just as effective. We must therefore be more trusting of the PIT therapy for depression as it provides another treatment for people who struggled with CBT that is just as effective. Meaning that more people can have their symptoms improved, in theory. However, a weakness of Elkins findings is

  • Word count: 559
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: Psychology
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Complementary Therapy Treatments

Complementary Therapy Complementary therapy treatments ) What is Feng Shui? Feng Shui is a complex body knowledge that balances the energies of any given space to assure the health and good fortune for people inhabiting it. Feng Shui theory says that there are bad and good energy flows and can be reduced or increased depending on the way the place is decorated and the way the furniture is laid out in the room. Feng Shui is based on understanding the nature, particularly on the idea that the land is alive and filled with energy. What is the treatment process for Feng Shui? The treatment process involves decorating your home so as to create a vibrant feeling of joy and harmony to each individual to stop the bad energy flowing or to let the bad energy get out through the doors or windows so it does not affect people living in the house. Windows are called the eyes of the home in Feng Shui and are related, on an energy level, to your ability to see clearly in life. When would you use Feng Shui? Feng Shui is used to promote deep relaxation and to increase energy, removing energy blocks and also reducing stress. We can learn to live in harmony with nature and use the flow of energies within it to our advantage. And what that really means to you is that the use of Feng Shui can help you take control of your life and be the best that you possibly can be. 2) What is

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  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: Healthcare
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