Cognitive Behavioral Therapy as a Cure For Depression

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Cognitive behavioural therapy has been proven to be effective in the treatment of child and adolescent depression (Lewinsohn & Clarke, 1999; Harrington et al, 1998, March et al, 2004). There is general agreement in the clinical literature that the techniques of cognitive behavioural approaches to therapy are likely to be effective in treating depression (Brewin, 1996; Beech, 2000). In the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic & Statistical Manual (APA, 2000) the symptoms of depression are: loss of interest or enjoyment in activities; changing in weight and appetite; changes to sleep pattern; loss of energy; feeling worthless or guilty; suicidal thoughts; poor concentration and being either agitated or slowed up. The classic model of depression, according to Beck (1979), centres on the ‘depressive cognitive triad’. These patterns of negative thoughts are about: First, the world, the past or current situation, for example, no one likes me. Second, oneself (self-criticism, guilt, blame), for example, I’m worthless. And third, the future (hopelessness, pessimisms), for example, I will never be successful. The CBT goals for depression usually include two main elements. First, increasing problem-solving and active engage; Second, restoring activity levels in patients, specially the activities that bring a sense of achievement in them as well as pleasure; and finally, helping the patient to negate the negative cognitive biases in them and to develop a better and more balanced view of the world, their situation, their future and themselves (Ryan, 2003). According to Beck et al. (1979), for depression, a course of therapy which lasts between 15 to 20 sessions would be desirable. The components of CBT for depressi... ... middle of paper ... ...ontrolled exposure to feared situations and stimuli. Relapse prevention methods focus on consolidating and generalizing treatment gains over time. There are studies which have provided evidence that ‘age’ could be considered as important in determining therapeutic outcomes dealing with anxiety disorders in children. According to Barrett, Dadds, & Rapee (1996), younger children tend to do better in treatment in which the family is involved. Interestingly, in a sample of seven to 15-year-olds, Kendall et al (1997) and Weersing (2001) found that younger children were more likely to respond favourably to treatment than older children. These findings provide fundamental evidence that younger children may improve more quickly than older children and also they are more likely to do better in CBT than older children, especially when the treatment is family-focused.

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