Ellis's ABC model - cognitive explanation of depression

what does the ABC model explain depression

how irrational beliefs affect our behaviour and emotional state

what does the ABC stand for

activating event, beliefs, consequences

what does ‘activating event mean’

people get depression when they experience negative events - such as failing a test - trigger irrational beliefs

what are the two types of irrational ‘beliefs’ we experience

musturbation - the belief we must always achieve perfection, utopianism - the belief that life is always meant to be fair

what does ‘consequences mean’

when an activating event triggers irrational beliefs, there are emotional and behavioural consequences

real life application - evaluation

Ellis’s ABC model led to the treatment for depression REBT which is where the therapist argues with the patient until their irrational beliefs have been challenged

partial explanation - evaluation

Ellis’s ABC model only explains depression which is caused by distinctive activating events however, sometimes there is no distinctive event that causes depression which is called endogenous depression