General Studies · Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Passage: Maria, an intelligent and resilient educator, is struggling with depression. Her clinical picture includes sleep disturbances, significant weight loss, and a pervasive sense of hopelessness, exemplified by her belief that she has 'ruined' the lives of her family members. From a cognitive-behavioral perspective, Maria's distress is maintained by a specific working hypothesis of her internal world. She views herself as inadequate, perceives the world as demanding, and sees the future as a void. At work, her absences are increasing due to a belief that anything less than 'perfect' teaching is a failure. Socially, she has begun to withdraw, reinforcing her isolation. A therapist helps her map the connections between automatic thoughts, emotional states, and subsequent behaviors using thought diaries and hypothesis testing. Question: Maria's view of herself as 'inferior,' her view of others as 'demanding,' and her view of the future as 'hopeless' collectively form what Aaron Beck termed: