Question

“The onset of the disorder was gradual, but even today, I still remember the painful episode in my life. I had completed medical school with great success. It seemed as if my hard work had paid off and my dreams were realised. However, within two weeks thereafter, I was unable to complete my work in a timely fashion. I had trouble concentrating on even the simplest of tasks. I felt intense gloom and felt lonely, even amongst my friends. I was unable to sleep and felt fatigued and worthless all the time. I remained slow, inefficient and disorganised.”

1. Identify the psychological disorder indicated above.    (1)
2. Specify any three ways by which Rational Emotive Therapy (RET) can be used to help the patient recover from the psychological disorder.   (3)

Answer 1

1. Severe Depression
2. The ABC model of RET can be used to treat patients of severe depression in the following ways:
   This model explains how, while we may blame external events for our unhappiness, it is our interpretation of these events that truly lies at the heart of our psychological distress. The therapist uses the technique of the ABC model in the following ways:
   • A: Activating event:
     First, the therapist identifies the event that triggers the belief system in the patient and causes distress. For example, something happens in the environment around the patient which generates an irrational belief such as I didn’t get selected for the competition.
   • B: Belief:
     The therapist then identifies the belief that describes one’s thoughts about the event or situation. For example- I have a terrible voice, I will never get selected, and I will never be good at singing.
   • C: Consequence:
     This is the emotional response to one’s belief. For example, I feel sad and want to give up singing. The therapist takes the emotional outcome in cognizance.

According to Ellis, an important step in this process is recognising the underlying beliefs that lead to psychological distress.

Ellis states that one cannot always change the world or what happens to them but one can change the ways in which one thinks about experiences.