Cognitive Behavioural Treatment (CBT) as treatment for depression
CBT Theory- The way we think affects the way we feel which influences how we
behave.
The main aim of CBT is to:
1. Help the patient change the way they think
2. Help the patient change the way they act to improve the symptoms they’re
experiencing.
Between each session the patient will have “homework” to do which involves trying to
change the way they think about a situation and writing about it in a diary.
This is known as patient as scientist. The stage helps replace irrational thoughts in actions.
They then discuss this with the therapist in the next session.
CBT Ellis’s Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy
REBT extends the ABC model to an ABCDE model where D and E stand for Dispute and
Effect.
- The central technique of REBT is to identify and dispute irrational thoughts.
Vigorous arguments
- Empirical argument involves disputing whether there is actual evidence of the
irrational thought
- Logical arguments involve disputing whether the negative thought logically follows
from the facts.
Encourage a depressed patient to be more active and engage in more enjoyable activities.
This provides more evidence for irrational nature of beliefs
CBT AO3
March et al (2017)
Point: CBT is just as effective as drug treatment
Evidence: Compared to the effects of CBT, antidepressants and a combination of both in a
sample of 327 teenagers. 36 weeks later: CBT 81% improved. Antidepressants 81%
improved, Combination 86% improved.
I + D: This study is experimentally reductionist as the sample only consists of adolescents
therefore the impact of CBT on adults cannot be assumed.
Point: CBT may not be effective in the most severe cases of depression
Evidence: In the most severe cases of depression, the individual’s attention span may not
cope with the demands of CBT.
I + D: CBT should be idiographic to cater towards the specific type of depression a patient
has.
CBT Theory- The way we think affects the way we feel which influences how we
behave.
The main aim of CBT is to:
1. Help the patient change the way they think
2. Help the patient change the way they act to improve the symptoms they’re
experiencing.
Between each session the patient will have “homework” to do which involves trying to
change the way they think about a situation and writing about it in a diary.
This is known as patient as scientist. The stage helps replace irrational thoughts in actions.
They then discuss this with the therapist in the next session.
CBT Ellis’s Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy
REBT extends the ABC model to an ABCDE model where D and E stand for Dispute and
Effect.
- The central technique of REBT is to identify and dispute irrational thoughts.
Vigorous arguments
- Empirical argument involves disputing whether there is actual evidence of the
irrational thought
- Logical arguments involve disputing whether the negative thought logically follows
from the facts.
Encourage a depressed patient to be more active and engage in more enjoyable activities.
This provides more evidence for irrational nature of beliefs
CBT AO3
March et al (2017)
Point: CBT is just as effective as drug treatment
Evidence: Compared to the effects of CBT, antidepressants and a combination of both in a
sample of 327 teenagers. 36 weeks later: CBT 81% improved. Antidepressants 81%
improved, Combination 86% improved.
I + D: This study is experimentally reductionist as the sample only consists of adolescents
therefore the impact of CBT on adults cannot be assumed.
Point: CBT may not be effective in the most severe cases of depression
Evidence: In the most severe cases of depression, the individual’s attention span may not
cope with the demands of CBT.
I + D: CBT should be idiographic to cater towards the specific type of depression a patient
has.
