Behavioral Activation
What is Behavioral Activation?
A CBT skill used to treat/battle depression
What's an example opposite action?
Being angry and listening to happy music, being sad and watching a funny movies, etc. Anything where you do an activity that would make you feel 'opposite' to how you're feeling.
What are some things in life that depression affects?
Work, school, social things, how you think, act, and feel. Lots of things!
Is anxiety a healthy emotion?
Sometimes! Everyone feels anxious from time to time. What matters is how much or for how long.
How old is Bran?
4
What's an example of behavioral activation?
Doing something fun/healthy and enjoyable
In this timeline, where should we use opposite action?
Trigger --> thoughts --> emotion --> behavior.
Right after we feel the emotion
List some of the most common symptoms of depression
Tired from over or under sleeping, feeling depressed/sad often, having negative affect, little energy, feeling guilty or worthless, increase or decrease in appetite, etc
List some symptoms of anxiety
excessive worry, difficulty controlling the worry, sleep problems, irritability, tense muscles, etc
What are protective factors? List a few types
They are different aspects of your life that, if kept healthy, can help you overcome challenges. There are social protective factors, physical, having a sense of purpose, coping skills, healthy thinking, and self-esteem.
List some tips to building and maintaining new habits. (Could be ones we talked about, or something you do that we didn't talk about)
Start with small changes, ties new habits to other activities, practice (even if it's just a little bit), track your progress, etc.
What would opposite action look like for feeling depressed?
Talking to friends and family, going for a walk, getting out of bed and doing something, etc.
What are the 3 circles of self compassion?
Threat, Drive, and Soothe
Describe when anxiety can be a healthy, reasonable emotion.
Before a big event, a big test, etc. It can motivate us to prepare for things we care about that are important.
What song was awarded "Song of The Year" at last year's Grammy awards?
Mr. Mustache - Nirvana
(Fracture - Rukkus was a close second)
Describe the cycle of depression
You feel bad --> You do less fun things --> you feel worse --> You do even less fun things --> you feel even worse!
Describe when opposite action could be useful
could be any situation where your emotions are particularly uncomfortable/too much at the time, and we want them to be lower.
What are some treatments for depression, and what is generally the most effective?
Therapy (CBT, DBT, etc), and medication. Therapy in combination with medication is the most effective
What are some different types of anxiety disorders?
Panic disorder, Social anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, agoraphobia
List your favorite spongebob side characters (or a different show if you don't watch spongebob)
Plankton is the best!
Describe how behavioral activation interacts with the depressive cycle
In the depressive cycle, there's no positivity that's being added - behavioral activation adds that positivity, making the battle against depression easier.
Give some examples of how different emotions can motivate us
Hunger - eat, Depressed - isolate/be inactive, tired - sleep, etc
What are risk factors for depression?
Genetics, trauma, substance use, other medical disorders, etc
What are some risk factors for anxiety?
Genetics, other medical conditions, past life experiences, current life stressors
What does it mean if something is comorbid?
Co-existing. For example, depression and anxiety are often seen together, so you would call them "Comorbid"