Final answer:
Beck's cognitive therapy for depression has fewer side effects compared to medications and equips patients with long-term coping skills, but does not necessarily offer immediate relief, greater affordability, or ease of administration.
Step-by-step explanation:
One advantage of using Beck's cognitive therapy for depression, as compared to drugs, is that it has fewer side effects. Unlike medications such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAO inhibitors), which alter neurotransmitter levels and can cause various side effects, cognitive therapy aims to modify negative thought patterns and improve coping strategies, leading to improvements in mood without the risk of pharmacological side effects.
Moreover, cognitive therapy equips patients with skills to manage their depression in the long term, potentially preventing relapses, as compared to the temporary relief that medications often provide. The approach, however, is not necessarily more affordable or easier to administer, and it does not provide immediate relief like some medications can.