How do cognitive behavioral theories explain depression? ANSWER:

The idea behind cognitive behavioral theory is that experiencing unpredictable and uncontrollable events leads to a feeling of helplessness. This feeling leads to depression. In addition, perceiving the cause of negative events as something permanent and pervasive about the self also plays a role in feeling helpless and hopeless. People tend to ruminate on these negative ideas, which can lead to sleeplessness. Some have argued that negative thoughts and ruminating are linked to an inappropriate setting of the pleasure experience detector in the brain.