*Rational-emotive therapies

Chapter 17: Treatment of Psychological Disorders

Ellis's Rational-Emotive Therapy (RET)

  • Definition: A cognitive-behavioral approach to therapy designed to help individuals understand the relationship between their thoughts and emotional responses.

Model ABCD (Italicized)

  • A - Activating Event:

    • Definition: The situation that triggers an emotional response.

    • Example: Failing a test.

  • B - Belief System:

    • Definition: The personal meaning assigned to the activating event, often irrational.

    • Example: "I'm worthless if I fail."

  • C - Consequences:

    • Definition: The emotional and behavioral outcomes resulting from the belief system.

    • Examples: Depression, giving up.

  • D - Disputing Irrational Beliefs:

    • Definition: The process of challenging negative beliefs and replacing them with rational alternatives.

    • Core Principle: Emotions stem from beliefs rather than the activating events themselves.

Examples of Irrational Beliefs and Rational Alternatives

  • Irrational Belief:

    • "I must be loved by everyone."

    • Rational Alternative:

    • "Self-respect is more important than universal approval."

  • Irrational Belief:

    • "I must be perfect or I'm a failure."

    • Rational Alternative:

    • "Humans fail; effort is more important than the outcome."

  • Irrational Belief:

    • "Bad events are catastrophic."

    • Rational Alternative:

    • "Stop catastrophizing; accept reality and control only what you can."

  • Irrational Belief:

    • "My misery is caused by other people."

    • Rational Alternative:

    • "You continue damaging yourself through your thoughts about events."

  • Irrational Belief:

    • "Past damage controls the present forever."

    • Rational Alternative:

    • "Beliefs can change."

  • Client Practice:

    • Clients are encouraged to practice disputing their irrational beliefs which leads to emotional relief.

Beck's Cognitive Therapy

  • Definition: A widely used therapeutic approach focused on replacing distorted thoughts with more realistic interpretations, particularly in the treatment of depression.

Goal of Therapy

  • To improve emotional responses by addressing distorted thinking patterns through cognitive restructuring.

Key Shift in Understanding

  • Emotional reactions result from thoughts about events rather than the events themselves.

Example from Textbook Session

  • Situation: Failing a test leads to the thought:

    • "I'm stupid; I'll never be happy."

  • Therapist's Inquiry:

    • "Does everyone who fails become depressed?"

    • "Who decides the meaning?"

    • "What does failing mean to you?"

  • Client Realization:

    • Eventually, the client recognizes that the suffering is caused by the meaning they attach to the failure, rather than the failure itself.

Disorders Most Responsive to Beck's Therapy

  • Depression (most evidence supporting efficacy).

  • Anxiety disorders.

  • Personality disorders.

  • Anger disorders.

  • Eating disorders.

  • Issues related to stress and coping.