The cognitive explanation of mental illness

Aaron Beck and the negative cognitive triad

• Suggested there are 3 main dysfunctional beliefs in people with depression which form a cognitive triad: 1. i am worthless/flawed 2. the worlds unfair/against me 3. futures hopeless

• Suggested when a person becomes depressed, they then seek out information to confirm their negative beliefs.

• You might be having a day where lots of good things are happening, but then one small negative thing will confirm your negative beliefs + ruin your whole day.

Diathesis- stress model→ suggests that genes can create a pre disposition for the disorder, but it only actually develops as a result of a stressor e.g. environment or trauma:

• Accepted genetics are a key biological component within disorders. But suggested the reason concordance rates aren’t 100% is due to individual cognitive processes.

Albert Ellis and faulty cognitions

• Irrational thoughts could cause and sustain mental disorders, and believed that faulty cognitions can be summarised within the following 3 points: 1. i must be outstandingly competent or worthless 2. others must treat me considerably or are absolutely rotten 3. world must give me happiness or ill die

• These usually impossible high standards are not attained, and so with this black + white thinking, the person resorts to other extreme thinking, potentially leading to depression/anxiety.

.

.

.

.