Patients are often asked to write their record their negative thoughts as homework for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) session.
- Explain how difficult this task might be for depressed patients?
- Identify your culture and ethnicity (MUST BE HISPANIC LATINO). Describe how negative thoughts are perceived in your culture.
- Discuss ways you could increase the likelihood that a depressed patient completes the Automatic Thoughts (See attached) assignment.
at least 500 words ( 2 complete pages of content) formatted and cited in current APA style 7 ed with support from at least 3 academic sources which need to be journal articles or books from 2019 up to now. NO WEBSITES allowed for reference entry. Include doi, page numbers, etc. Plagiarism must be less than 10%.
AUTOMATIC THOUGHT RECORD
When you notice your mood getting worse, ask yourself, “What’s going through my mind right now?” As soon as possible, fill in the table below.
Date,
Time Situation Automatic Thoughts (ATs) Emotion/s Adaptive Response Outcome
• What led to the unpleasant
emotion?
• What distressing physical
sensations did you have?
• What thought/s or image/s went
through your mind?
• How much did you believe the
thought at the time (0-100%)?
• What emotion/s did
you feel at the time?
• How intense was the
emotion (0-100%)?
• Which thinking styles did you
engage in?
• Use questions below to respond
to the automatic thoughts/s.
• How much do you believe each
response (0-100%)?
• How much do you
now believe your
ATs (0-100%)?
• What emotion/s do
you now feel? At
what intensity?
Questions to compose an Adaptive Response: (1) What is the evidence that the automatic thought is true? Not true? (2) Is there an alternative
explanation? (3) What’s the worst that could happen? What’s the best that could happen? What’s the most realistic outcome? (4) If a friend were in
this situation and had this thought, what would I tell him/her?
- Difficulty for depressed patients in recording negative thoughts: Depressed patients often struggle with cognitive processes, including negative thinking patterns and self-perception. They may find it challenging to identify and articulate their automatic negative thoughts (ANTs) due to the following reasons:
a. Cognitive distortions: Depressed individuals often experience cognitive distortions, such as all-or-nothing thinking, overgeneralization, and personalization. These distortions can cloud their perception of reality and make it difficult to recognize their negative thoughts.
b. Lack of motivation: Depression can lead to feelings of apathy, hopelessness, and low motivation. Engaging in therapeutic activities, such as recording negative thoughts, may feel overwhelming or burdensome for individuals experiencing depression.
c. Negative self-perception: Depressed individuals often have a negative self-image and may criticize themselves for having negative thoughts. They may believe that their thoughts are invalid or unworthy of attention, further hindering their ability to record them.
- Perception of negative thoughts in Hispanic/Latino culture: It’s important to note that Hispanic/Latino culture is diverse and encompasses various beliefs and perspectives. However, in many Hispanic/Latino cultures, negative thoughts may be perceived differently compared to individualistic cultures. Some common cultural factors that can influence the perception of negative thoughts include:
a. Familism and collectivism: Hispanic/Latino cultures often prioritize family and community bonds. In this context, expressing negative thoughts may be seen as a burden to others or a sign of weakness. Individuals may be hesitant to share their negative thoughts to avoid burdening their loved ones.
b. Machismo and marianismo: Traditional gender roles, such as machismo (masculine pride) and marianismo (feminine virtues), can contribute to stigma surrounding mental health and negative emotions. Men may feel pressured to appear strong and resilient, while women may prioritize their caregiving roles and suppress their own negative thoughts.
c. Reliance on social support: Hispanic/Latino cultures often emphasize seeking support from family, friends, and religious/spiritual communities. Sharing negative thoughts may be seen as seeking validation or support, which can influence how individuals perceive and express their emotions.
- Strategies to increase completion of the assignment: To increase the likelihood that a depressed patient completes the Automatic Thoughts assignment, several strategies can be considered:
a. Establish rapport and trust: Building a strong therapeutic alliance is crucial. Develop a supportive and non-judgmental relationship with the patient, making them feel comfortable and understood.
b. Educate about the purpose of the task: Explain the rationale behind recording negative thoughts and how it can help identify patterns and develop adaptive responses. Clarify that negative thoughts are common and not a sign of weakness.
c. Modify the format: Adapt the format of the assignment to suit the patient’s needs and preferences. Simplify or break down the table into smaller sections, provide examples, or allow for alternative modes of expression such as audio recordings or drawings.
d. Gradual exposure: Start with less challenging negative thoughts and gradually progress to more complex ones. This approach can help build confidence and reduce feelings of overwhelm.
e. Provide prompts and structure: Offer specific prompts or questions to guide the patient’s reflection and completion of each section of the table. This can assist in organizing their thoughts and facilitating the process.
f. Encourage self-compassion: Emphasize the importance of self-compassion and understanding throughout the process. Help patients recognize that negative thoughts are common and not a reflection of their worth or character.
g. Support outside sessions: Encourage patients to reach out for support from trusted individuals, such as family members, friends, or support groups, between therapy sessions. This can provide additional emotional support and facilitate the completion of assignments.
Remember, individual preferences and cultural factors may vary, so it’s essential to tailor these strategies to the specific needs and cultural background of the patient. Collaboratively working with the patient and understanding their unique perspective is vital for effective therapy.