A therapist treating a patient with depression asks, "If it is true that your friend didn't call because she is angry, what would that mean about you?" The patient replies, "It means I am unlovable." The therapist continues this line of questioning. Which cognitive technique is being used?

• A Socratic questioning
• B Activity scheduling
• C Thought challenging
• D Downward arrow technique ✓

Explanation

The downward arrow technique is a cognitive method used to uncover core beliefs by repeatedly asking what a situation or thought means to the patient, moving from surface automatic thoughts to deeper schemas. Socratic questioning explores the logic and evidence for a specific thought rather than drilling down to underlying meaning. Thought challenging tests the validity of a thought, while activity scheduling is a behavioral intervention for depression.

Reference: Kaplan and Sadock's Synopsis of Psychiatry, 11th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.