Question

When comparing treatments for depression, cognitive-behavioral therapy

a) is less effective than drugs.
b) does not have an effect above and beyond that of drugs.
c) is just as effective as drugs.
d) is better suited for other types of psychological disorders.

Answer 1

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) has been shown to be just as effective as drugs in the treatment of depression, and neither is considered superior. Different treatments, including psychotherapy and SSRIs, work through diverse mechanisms to alleviate the symptoms of depression.

Step-by-step explanation:

When comparing treatments for depression, studies such as one conducted by DeRubeis et al. (2005) have shown that cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is just as effective as drugs. It is important to note that there is a range of treatments for depression, including various other therapies such as psychotherapy, brain stimulation techniques, and medications such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAO inhibitors).

Specifically, CBT and medications both work to alleviate symptoms of depression, but they do so through different mechanisms. CBT focuses on changing unhelpful cognitive distortions and behaviors, while medications primarily affect brain chemistry. The research by Beck (1976, 2008) and others has culminated in a consensus that neither CBT nor antidepressant medication is superior in the treatment of depression, though individual differences in response to each mode of treatment are observed.