Ellis's ABC Model of Depression

Vocabulary terms and definitions covering Ellis's ABC model, irrational beliefs, and evaluation points for the cognitive explanation of depression.

Rational thinking

Thinking in ways that allow people to be happy and free from pain.

Irrational thinking

Thinking that interferes with being happy and free from pain, leading to poor mental health such as depression according to Ellis (1962).

Ellis's ABC Model

A cognitive explanation for depression consisting of an Activating event, Beliefs about the event, and Consequences.

Activating Event (A)

An external situation or event that triggers irrational thoughts and prompts the start of a reaction.

Beliefs (B)

The thoughts about an event which determine the emotions and behavior that follow.

Consequences (C)

The emotional and behavioural results, such as depression and anxiety, that occur when an activating event creates irrational beliefs.

Musterbation

An irrational belief identified by Ellis as the idea that we must always succeed or achieve perfection.

I-can’t-stand-it-i-tis

The irrational belief that it is a major disaster whenever something does not go smoothly.

Utopianism

The irrational belief that life is always meant to be fair.

SODA+

A mnemonic for evaluating theories: Supporting research, Opposing research, Different explanation/Interpretation, Application to the real world, and additional points.

BDNF

A chemical that feeds neurons the nutrients they need to survive; low levels are linked as a biological explanation for depression.

Reactive depression

Depression that is triggered by external life events, which Ellis's ABC model is designed to explain.

Endogenous depression

Cases of depression not traceable to life events; Ellis's ABC model is considered less useful for explaining this type.

Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT)

A therapy based on challenging irrational thoughts; its effectiveness lends credibility to Ellis's ABC model.

Biological factors in depression

Neurotransmitter imbalances caused by hypersensitive serotonin and noradrenaline receptors, or low levels of BDNF.