Strengths And Weaknesses Of The Explanations Of Depression Psychology Essay

Depression is defined by a consistent low mood for a period of two weeks or more. There are certain criteria that have to be recognised to be diagnosed with depression such as:

[A] Weight loss or weight gain.

[B] Insomnia [unable to sleep] or hypersomnia [excessive sleep].

[C] Incapable to concentrate .

[D] Sever tiredness or loss of energy.

[E] Agitation, anxiety, stress.

Depression comes in many forms such as Clinical, manic, Bipolar. This assignment will focus on Clinical depression and therapies. The theories of behavioural, psychodynamic, and cognitive will be discussed, and the strengths and weakness will be studied and evaluated. Seligman describes psychological problems as a common cold, in so much as clinical depression is now recognised to the way in which society now lives its lifestyle. Clinical depression is often referred to as unipolar. Unipolar can start at a very young age and can gradually affect the person or it can show very quickly.

[Sane] (1993), estimates that, in Britain the depression rate is about 5% this estimate covers only major depression,78% of the population will suffer from some form of depression over the next 10 years ( Blacker 2000). Imbedded within in the psychiatrics thinking is that a distinction can be made between Exogenous (coming from the outside from stress full experiences,) and Endogenous (coming from within from biochemical disturbances).

Williams & and Hargreaves (1995) believes that this distinction is controversial as Endogenous is now used to describe cluster of symptoms instead of looking at the origins of depression.

Behavioural theories explain and understand the human personality. Their belief is that cultural and sub-cultural conditioning shapes behaviour and personality. Their theory centres onus as a product of culture the human life is pre-organised to how one should behave. Behaviouralisits base their principles of learning on that of conditioning reinforcement (rewards and punishment). This theory states that if the individual is taught how to understand their environment and moulds with it they will be able to understand why they perform the way they do.

[Pavlov] (1890s) study of dogs cantered on what causes salivation. Under laboratory conditions he found that a dog can be trained through several techniques to salivate simply by hearing a bell. This is a conditioned reflex, normal reflexes made by the body automatically he states are an unconditioned reflex as no stimuli is needed. Pavlov’s experiment and description on how animals and humans can be trained to respond in a particular way to certain stimuli opened up a more objective way of studying behaviour, such as phobias.

Skinner (1931) invented the Operant Conditioning Chamber to measure the responses of organisms such as rats and pigeons and to see how they react to environments. Skinner informs us that there are five main obstacles when it comes to learning these are Fear of Failure, Too much in one go, lack of direction, uncertainty, and positive reinforcement.

Pavlov (1890s) experiments show the meaning of classical conditioning.

Skinner (1931) experiments show the meaning of operant conditioning.

It was Skinners chamber that bought behaviourism in to the realms of scientific theory as up to this point behaviourism would not include the physical sciences.

Modern behaviourists dispute Skinners explanations of studies he did and how he recorded the information (Steddon &Simmeelhag) [1971] found similar behaviour on Skinners studies but concluded their research could not support his “advantageous reinforcement “explanations.

[Noam Chmosky] (1959) published a view of Skinners verbal behaviour theory and her review of his study accredited her to the Cognitive approach in psychology. She was very critical of Skinners laboratory experiments in that they could not be identified to humans; if it was to include humans it would then be a scientific experiment. This theory is very deterministic and it denies that a human has a free will.

Cognitive behavioural theory (C.B.T.) is a psychotherapeutic approach its aims are to solve problems with dysfunctional cognitions such as behaviour, or emotions. This approach has had a lot of positive fed back when it’s been used to help personality and psychotic disorders. (C.B.T.) approach can be used on an individual or with a group. Behavioural and cognitive found some common ground when discussing the “here and now” scenarios with answers to help elevate the symptoms. Many (C.B.T.) treatments have been endorsed by the health care trend on evidence based treatment, on their effectiveness of specific treatment for symptom based diagnoses.

Research has recently looked at depressogenic schemata and that faulty cognitions may precipitate depression which has been learnt and left dormant until activated by stress.

Haaga & Beck (1992) Have suggested that several types of stressors that may activate dysfunctional beliefs in people. Such as sociotropic individuals could be stressed by rejections by others. Autonomous individuals may become stressed due to a failure of reaching their targets.

Teasdale (1988) Differential activation hypothesis, looks at the possibility of increased accessibility of negative thoughts after a sudden mood change may explain why some people have persistent depression and others only have momentary depression.

Mary Jones (1924) her work on the unlearning of fears in children enabled Abraham Low(1973) to develop cognitive training techniques for patients following a stay in a psychiatric institution.

Seligman & Maler (1967) conducted a similar experiment as that of Pavlov and his dogs. This experiment gave pain to the animals to prevent them leaving after been given the opportunity to leave they found that the dogs had “learned helplessness” and had resigned themselves that there was no escape.

Anon. (2010), Psychological medicine, the authors found few well controlled studies of the (C.B.T.) in depression, they did find the theory to be beneficial but the effect was small.

Freud was credited with the invention in psychodynamic theories and psychoanalysis. He states that the mind is segmented into the I.D. E.G.O. &, the Super Ego. Each has its own function to enable the mind to work efficiently, and if the I.D and Super Ego come into conflict with each other the balance then becomes uneven it then causes a state of repression. Without addressing this first it’s not possible to resolve depression according to this theory. Psychodynamic theory has had to evolve itself in order to become scientific, and to attain more credibility.

Freud (1917) psychodynamic approach to his study in “Mourning and Melancholia” Freud noted that a similarity occurs between the grieving that incorporates the loss of a loved one with the symptoms of depression.

Beck & Young’s (1978) study of students show that we all will suffer some of the symptoms for depression.

Leichsenring between (1974&2010) studies done in this time frame through Psychodynamic approach and behavioural approach conclude that both approaches are effective in treatment of personality disorders. However because analyses were limited, that these studies can only be recognised as preliminary results.

Crook & Elist (1980) they disagree with the notion that a loss of a loved one will lead to depression.

Davis & Neale (1990) Suggests that if anger builds up within, why would a depressed individual take out their anger on close family or friend, as this would alienate them. If as suggested by Freud’s theory that we need to maintain a positive reinforcement relationship.

Weissman &Paykel (1974) have reported with evidence that this does occur and anger is aimed at family and friends.

Going through the cognitive behaviour route is a long and lengthy process. Even after the patients have learned to understand the underlying mental dysfunction they then have to go through the process of replacing the dysfunctional cognitive. Which is a slow and difficult procediure?

Psychological theories provide evidence as to why people believe, think and feel the way they do. They look into our personalities, early experiences and our ability to interact with one another. Psychological theory’s eminent these facts as part of the depression progress. Freud noted that depression can be attributed to excessive grief of a loved one. He states that actual loss and symbolic loss allow the re-experience of childhood. However if this was so would it not affect everybody in the same way, feuds theory is very subjective as it assumes all humans are alike and there for have no individual identity.

There are many explanations that fall under this approach that may explain as to why a person develops depressive symptoms. Psychodynamic have for a long time believed that depression was caused by anger turned into self hatred

The theories that this assignment has looked at are based on psychological therapies and mainly done on the back of other studies it’s difficult to find solid scientific evidence as which approach is best. (“Anger turned inwards”). There is disagreements within the psychodynamic approach as to which subject matter is the most important to focus on and which methods to use. This has bought about several separate theories as to who and why someone gets depressed.