Transcript Cognitive Treatments (Ao1 & Ao2)

Key Assumptions of The Cognitive
Perspective
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Individuals who suffer from mental disorders
have distorted and irrational thinking – which
may cause maladaptive behaviour.
It is the way you think about the problem rather
than the problem itself which causes the mental
disorder.
Individuals can overcome mental
disorders by learning to use more
appropriate cognitions.
Beck’s Model of Depression (1979)
‘The Cognitive Triad’
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Negative Triad (3 negative Schemata)
– Negative view of the self
– Negative view of the world
– Negative view of the future
Negative view
of the self (I
am incompetent
and undeserving
Negative
Automatic
Thoughts
Depression
Negative view
of the world
it is a hostile
place
Negative view
of the future
problems will not
disappear, there
will always be
emotional pain
Cognitive Bias
Explanation
Minimisation
The bias towards minimising
success in life.
Maximisation
The bias towards maximising
the importance of even trivial
failures.
Selective Abstraction
A bias towards focusing on
only the negative aspects of
life and ignoring the wider
picture
All or nothing Thinking
A tendency to see life in terms
of black and white and
ignoring the middle ground;
you are a success or a failure,
rather than not good at some
things but OK at others.
A: Activating
Event
Mary and her
boyfriend split
up.
Rational
Thoughts
Mary tells herself that
although it is a sad
situation they were not
compatible and she may
learn from the
experience
B: Beliefs
(about A)
Desirable
Emotions
Mary feels sad, but is
hopeful that she will
have successful
relationships in the
future
C:
Consequences
(of B)
Irrational
Thoughts
Mary tells herself that
the break up is her fault
and that she is not
loveable, and so will
always fail at
relationships
Undesirable
Emotions
Mary feels guilty that
she spoilt the
relationship and that
she is unlovable
Desirable
Behaviour
Undesirable
Behaviour
Mary looks forward to
forming new healthy
relationships and tries
to learn from her
experience
Mary resolves not to
form new
relationships as she
will only fail and get
hurt again.
Cognitive Therapy
 Cognitive
Behaviour Therapy (CBT)
 Aim – to challenge irrational and
dysfunctional thought processes
What is CBT?

It is a way of talking about:
– how you think about yourself, the world and other
people
– how what you do affects your thoughts and feelings.
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CBT can help people to change how they think
('Cognitive') and what they do ('Behaviour').
These changes can help them to feel better.
It focuses on the 'here and now' problems and
difficulties. Instead of focusing on the causes of
distress or symptoms in the past, it looks for
ways to improve the state of mind now.
When does CBT help?
 CBT
has been shown to help with
many different types of problems.
– Anxiety, depression, panic, phobias,
stress, bulimia, OCD, Post-Traumatic
Stress Disorder, bipolar disorder and
psychosis.
How does it work?
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CBT can help to break the vicious circle of
maladaptive thinking, feelings and
behaviour.
When the parts of the sequence are
clearly outlined and understood, they can
be changed.
CBT aims to get the person to a point
where they can ‘DIY', and work out their
own ways of tackling their problems.
What does CBT
involve?
The Sessions
Meet with a therapist for
between 5 and 20, weekly,
or fortnightly sessions.
Each session will last
between 30 and 60
minutes.
How effective is CBT?
 CBT
is effective in reducing
symptoms of depression and in
preventing relapse (Kuyken et al,
2007)
 It is the most effective
psychological treatment for
moderate and severe depression.
 It is as effective as antidepressants
for many types of depression (Fava
et al, 1994).
CBT and Drug Treatment
 Keller
et al (2000)
 Recovery rates (from depression)
– 55% drugs alone
– 52% CBT alone
– 85% when used together.
Strengths
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Client is actively
involved in their
recovery
CBT is not physically
invasive
Client learns to help
themselves, and can
use the skills in new
situations.
CBT works (e.g.
Kuyken, Fava)
Particularly when
combined with drug
treatment (Keller)
Weaknesses
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Clients can become
dependant on their
therapist, or noncooperative
CBT is not effective for
people with rigid attitudes
or resistance to change,
or for people who have
high stress levels in
response to genuinely
difficult life circumstances
(depressive realism)
CBT is not a quick fix. A
therapist is like a personal
trainer that advises and
encourages - but cannot
'do' it for the client.
CHANGE VIEW:
10 key facts about CBT
Change: your thoughts and
actions
View: events from another
angle
Homework: practice makes
perfect
I can do it: self-help approach
Action : don't just talk, do!
Experience: test out your
beliefs
Need: pinpoint the problem
Write it down: to remember
progress
Goals: move towards them
Evidence: shows CBT can work
"We are what we think.
All that we are arises
with our thought. With
our thoughts, we make
our world."
The Buddha