Cognitive-Behavioral Model of Depression - Essay Example

Critical Evaluation of Beck’s (1979, 2008) Cognitive Behavioral Model of Depression Critical Evaluation of Beck’s (1979, 2008) Cognitive Behavioral Model of Depression In a critical analysis or appraisal, the basis for appraisal is careful analytical evaluation. It is a central process entailed in every academic work and involves hard or critical thinking in which, logical and rational thoughts are applied in the process of deconstructing the different texts read by a person. The query method of analysis is effective in critically appraising a text and discerning as much as can be assessed in the text. For the above mentioned title, providing well-structured answers to the questions that follow will serve as critical evaluation of Beck’s (1979, 2008) cognitive behavioral model of depression. Scientific evidence to support some of postulated processes in CBT (e.g. that mood and thinking are related) The cognitive model of depression has evolved a great deal over the past four decades since its formulation (Beck, 2008). Recently, there have been scientific demonstrations that cognitive, neurochemical, and genetic factors have potential to interact. New opportunities for integrated research have been opened through a combination of findings from cognitive neuroscience and behavioral genetics with research being accumulated on the cognitive model (Butler & Chapman et al., 2006). Relying on advances in laboratory experiments, social, personality, and cognitive psychology, coupled with clinical and non-clinical observations, expansions of the first cognitive model have brought in the information-processing bias, dysfunctional beliefs, cognitive distortions, as well as automatic thoughts in successive stages. The initial stage model identified traumatic experiences at an early stage including development of dysfunctional beliefs as congruent stressors and precipitating events for later life depression (Auerbach & Webb et al., 2013). With the scientific research on the topic of the cognitive model of depression it is possible to sketch a likely neurochemical and genetic pathway, which interacts or is parallel to cognitive variables. Genetic polymorphism is linked to a hypersensitive amygdale as well as a pattern of dysfunctional beliefs and cognitive biases (Iddon & Grant, 2013). These constitute depression’s risk factors. In studies that involve DSH (deliberate self-harm) like self-injury and intentional self-poisoning, there exists a strong link between suicide and DSH. Clinical proof exists in these cases that link brief CBT or psychological therapy with reduction in DSH repetition as reducing levels of suicidal ideation, hopelessness, and depression. Cognitive and behavioral about CBT Cognitive behavioral therapy abbreviated as CBT is an approach, which is psychotherapeutic in addressing cognitive contents and processes, maladaptive behavior, and dysfunctional emotions through several explicit, goal-oriented systematic procedures (Knapp & Beck, 2008). The two parts that makeup CBT are cognitive therapy and behavior therapy as well as therapy whose basis is a combination of cognitive and behavioral research and principles (Beck, 2008). Most therapists, whose patients are dealing with depression and anxiety, use a blend of behavioral and cognitive therapy. The underlying fact that forms the basis for this technique is the acknowledgment that the control of certain behaviors is not possible through rational thought. The cognitive aspect of CBT focuses on the way an individual thinks concerning the events taking place in his/her life and the impact such thoughts have on the way a person behaves and deals with emotional problems (Makinson & Young, 2012). This includes attitudes, beliefs, and thoughts also known as one’s cognitive processes. The experience of feelings and thoughts may sometimes compound or reinforce faulty beliefs resulting in problematic behaviors, which have a negative effect on areas of life such as academics, work, romantic relationships, and family. In combating such destructive thoughts in CBT, a cognitive-behavioral therapist will start by helping the client in the identification of problematic beliefs. This is a stage referred to as functional analysis where the client learns how situations, feelings, and thoughts are contributes towards maladaptive behaviors (Oconnor & Connery et al., 2000). The behavioral part of CBT places emphasis and focus on actual actions and behaviors, which contribute to the problem (Scott & Paykel et al., 2006). Here, the client starts learning and practicing new skills, which can in turn be utilized in a real world situation. For instance, someone suffering from drug addiction could start practicing new skills for coping as well as rehearsing ways of dealing with or avoiding social situations with the potential of triggering a relapse. CBT is a gradual process in most cases, which helps one to make incremental steps towards change in behavior (Simpson, 2010). CBT works effectively where individuals are willing and ready to spend effort and time analyzing his/her feelings and thoughts. Evidence that people with depression think, feel, and act as predicted by Beck’s CBT model of depression Beck formulated a cognitive triad, which represents three forms of negative thought that occur in a depressive state. These are negative thoughts concerning the self in that self feels worthless, the environment/ world terming it as unfair, and the future seeing it as hopeless (Knapp & Beck, 2008). From the counseling sessions and centers for rehabilitation, studies and research carried out has proved the existence of a connection between unhelpful styles of thinking and depression as well as anxiety (Disner & Beevers et al., 2011). These studies by psychiatric scholars and behavioral therapists were carried out anonymously to protect the patient’s identities and for ethical, as well as professional purposes in the guidance and counseling profession. The results indicated that, in times of depression and anxiety, unhelpful thinking styles had the tendency of reflecting repetitive, consistent, and habitual thought patterns (Gerrig, 2013). This in turn means that many situations in everyday life are misinterpreted because of the focus on problems and blowing them out of proportion. Despite such thinking styles and thoughts being normal and common to all in the day to day life, believing them has a negative impact on feelings and actions. The studies and research concur with Beck’s cognitive triad, which places a connection between feelings of anxiety and depression and the difficulty to perform some tasks. Depressed patients often have a skewed view of themselves as unlovable, helpless, and deficient (Whitfield, 2010). They attribute these unpleasant experiences, moral, mental, and physical deficits presumed by them. The feeling of excess guilt, worthlessness, blameworthiness, as well as perceived rejection by others and self are signs of depression, which in almost all cases stems from the way people think, feel, and act. Beck’s CBT model of depression workability in practice Beck’s CBT model of depression is a problem-focused, short-term psychosocial intervention. Evidence gathered from randomized controlled meta-analyses and trials show that Beck’s CBT model of depression is a practical and effective intervention for OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder), generalized anxiety, panic disorder, as well as depression. Increasing research has produced findings that indicate the usefulness and practicability of Beck’s CBT depression model in an increasing range of other psychological/psychiatric disorders like bipolar disorders, schizophrenia, social phobia, and health anxiety. Patients who attend psychiatric clinics have benefited from Beck’s CBT depression model. This depression model combined with the use of medication such as antidepressants with which, it is compatible has proven more effective that treatment alone making it applicable in solving everyday depression disorders. The other practical aspect of it is the high likelihood of reducing future relapse as indicated by a survey on psychiatric patient follow-up (Zeig, 2002). Generic CBT skills as outlined by Beck provide the psychiatrists with a readily accessible model for management and assessment of patients and can also be useful in informing general clinical skills in day to day practice. Evidence that people with depression report reduced depressive symptoms after receiving CBT The need to deliver evidence-based cognitive-behavioral therapy as well as psychosocial interventions has led to various bodies of research (Foreyt & II, 2008). These resources in terms of research have identified CBT as possessing the strongest evidence based research for effectiveness. The outcome of patients who voluntarily seek CBT intervention or are recommended by a third party sometimes unwillingly shows that more than half (approximated at 59% by the Ministry of Health) of those who undergo CBT report a significant reduction in depressive symptoms. Structured self-help material and reduction of the mandatory face-to-face therapy has resulted in more patients accessing help/treatment and greater recovery and improvement rates occasioned by the aspects of self-will and drive in patients with depression. Research evidence on PatientPlus articles, which are written by doctors in the UK, show that depression, the most common of all psychiatric problems in the UK, is well contained when patients undergo CBT. They cite CBT as the one most effective method of dealing with depression. Beck’s model of CBT comparison to other models of CBT for depression in terms of its effectiveness The Beck’s CBT model for depression, which focuses on cognitive theory, has been tested and proved through numerous empirical studies. Evidence shows treatment outcomes for a wide range of psychiatric disorders using this method have positively reduced depressive symptoms (Beck, 2008). When compare to exposure therapy (EP) and cognitive restructuring (CR), Beck’s CBT depression model has been approved as a more comprehensive and result-oriented in the process of problem solving. The Five Areas Model is equally as effective as Beck’s CBT model, but its rigor and complexity make Beck’s CBT model of depression more readily acceptable and widely used as an effective CBT model. Beck’s model of CBT comparison to other treatments for depression (e.g. anti-depressant medication) According to Beck, CBT is the most extensively researched form of psychotherapy. Depression is a condition that has been deemed as psychological as opposed to physical leading to the adoption of therapy over antidepressant medication in order to enhance total freedom from the condition, which Beck ascertains in his work, resides in the mental realm (Beck, 2008). The long-term effect of Beck’s CBT depression model persists to a larger extent than that of other treatments especially in preventing relapse. Once a patient has control over their emotions and thoughts, it is believed that behavior change comes much easily than subjection to antidepressant medication. Conclusion There is no doubt that Beck’s CBT depression model is a proven way of dealing with psychiatric disorders especially depression. The first conclusion is that depression is a behavioral and mental condition that is present in the society and if left unchecked can be detrimental to a person by occasioning other associated complexities such as DSH, which leads to suicide. Second, depression can be managed and eliminated over a period using CBT or antidepressant medication with CBT being more effective in the long term. Finally, a combination of antidepressant medication and CBT is the most effective than either treatment on its own. References Auerbach, R., Webb, C. 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