Professor Aaron Temkin Beck, American Psychiatrist and the founder of cognitive behaviour therapy, passed away earlier this month, aged 100. I have a shortlist of "psychology heroes", and Beck – everyone calls him Beck – is on that list. His ideas about the causes of depression and how to treat it just make plain sense. His legacy, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), has spread globally and is in greater demand than ever.
With Beck's approach to therapy, there is no need for navel gazing or uncovering deep dark secrets. Beckian CBT is firmly rooted in the here-and-now, where unhelpful thinking patterns can prolong moods and lead to maladaptive behaviours. The clarity and accessibility of Beck's ideas transformed how we treat depression and many other psychological conditions.
There was a hot debate about which works best: antidepressants, CBT, or some other form of talk therapy? However, in the treatment of depression, you could argue that everything works equally well. A variety of pills, based on different chemical compounds, can be effective. As can various forms of talk therapy. Psychologists call this situation the dodo bird verdict: "Everyone has won, and all must have prizes," declares the dodo bird in Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland.
If everything helps people get better, a more useful question is: which approach helps people stay better? Relapse rates in depression are, unfortunately, very high. People recover and then relapse, recover and relapse again. This, however, is where CBT really comes into its own. The outstanding benefits of CBT kick in after treatment ends. Patients treated with CBT are less likely to relapse than those treated with antidepressants alone, or even other forms of talk therapy. Thus, CBT has the edge when it comes to keeping us well.
A study published in the Lancet medical journal in 2016 describes the long-term effects of CBT over and above other treatments, such as antidepressants and brain stimulation therapies. The study, known as the CoBalT trial, followed 469 depressed patients for three and a half years. The findings were clear: antidepressant drugs and brain stimulation treatments were generally only lastingly effective if treatment remained ongoing. CBT, however, provided longer-term recovery without any need for continued treatment or booster sessions. Of course, CBT is not perfect. Patients treated with CBT still relapse, but it outperforms all other brief interventions when it comes to promoting enduring recovery.
CBT's longer-lasting (maintenance) effects are almost certainly due to participants learning skills they continue practising after treatment ends. What new life skills do we acquire by simply taking pills alone? Beck's idea was that CBT should involve patients developing the skills needed to become their own therapists. Even today, this still strikes many people as revolutionary. For example, when I introduce undergraduate students to CBT, they're generally surprised by how much work the client is expected to do. The idea of the client as an equal collaborator, challenges the classic media image of a passive patient lying on a couch while a sage-like therapist nods and scribbles notes. Often in CBT it is the patient who will be taking the notes.
CBT's record for helping achieve lasting recovery meant that when researchers started looking at preventative approaches to depression, CBT was an excellent place to start. As a result, we now have Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT). The evidence supporting this approach to preventing relapse in depression is compelling. So compelling that in 2009, the UK's National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) included MBCT in its national clinical guidelines for the treatment of depression. Best practice, the guideline suggests, is that MBCT should be offered to people who are currently well but have experienced three or more previous episodes of depression.
CBT is a gift that keeps on giving
CBT, of course, is not a panacea, nor is it for everybody. Some individuals may not gel well with their CBT therapist. Others may find CBT too complex, or perhaps not sophisticated enough. That said, CBT remains one of the most effective treatments we have across a broad range of psychological complaints, from depression and social anxiety to eating disorders and behavioural addictions. Frequently, demand outstrips supply, forcing many nations to implement ambitious initiatives to address this issue of "unmet need". For example, in 2008, the UK government launched the improving access to psychological therapies (IAPT) programme. Similarly, researchers and clinicians are actively exploring digital technologies to help improve further access to CBT and its various offshoots.
CBT is a gift that keeps on giving, and Beck's legacy is in greater demand than ever. Jonathan Haidt, co-author of The Coddling of the American Mind, argues that rates of common mental health problems are higher for Gen Z (born after 1996) than any previous generation. So how will things be when Gen Alpha (born after 2010) reach young adulthood?
Common mental health problems – depression, anxiety, substance misuse, eating disorders – have reached epidemic proportions in many nations. These problems disproportionately affect young people. As a result, preventing the onset of these problems has become a public health priority. Beck's ideas still have a crucial role in our search for innovative and increasingly effective approaches to mental health promotion and illness prevention. In the words of Beck, "the stronger person is not the one making the most noise but the one who can quietly direct the conversation toward defining and solving problems".
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Tips from the expert
Dobromir Radichkov, chief data officer at dubizzle and Bayut, offers a few tips for UAE residents looking to earn some cash from pre-loved items.
- Sellers should focus on providing high-quality used goods at attractive prices to buyers.
- It’s important to use clear and appealing photos, with catchy titles and detailed descriptions to capture the attention of prospective buyers.
- Try to advertise a realistic price to attract buyers looking for good deals, especially in the current environment where consumers are significantly more price-sensitive.
- Be creative and look around your home for valuable items that you no longer need but might be useful to others.
Emergency phone numbers in the UAE
Estijaba – 8001717 – number to call to request coronavirus testing
Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111
Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre
Emirates airline – 600555555
Etihad Airways – 600555666
Ambulance – 998
Knowledge and Human Development Authority – 8005432 ext. 4 for Covid-19 queries
If you go
The flights Etihad (www.etihad.com) and Spice Jet (www.spicejet.com) fly direct from Abu Dhabi and Dubai to Pune respectively from Dh1,000 return including taxes. Pune airport is 90 minutes away by road.
The hotels A stay at Atmantan Wellness Resort (www.atmantan.com) costs from Rs24,000 (Dh1,235) per night, including taxes, consultations, meals and a treatment package.
RACE CARD
6.30pm: Handicap (Turf) US$175,000 1,000m
7.05pm: Al Bastakiya Trial Conditions (Dirt) $100,000 1,900m
7.40pm: Al Rashidiya Group 2 (T) $250,000 1,800m
8.15pm: Handicap (D) $135,000 2,000m
8.50pm: Al Fahidi Fort Group 2 (T) $250,000 1,400m
9.25pm: Handicap (T) $135,000 2,410m.
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
Paris Can Wait
Dir: Eleanor Coppola
Starring: Alec Baldwin, Diane Lane, Arnaud Viard
Two stars
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Globalization and its Discontents Revisited
Joseph E. Stiglitz
W. W. Norton & Company
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
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What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
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MAIN CARD
Bantamweight 56.4kg
Abrorbek Madiminbekov v Mehdi El Jamari
Super heavyweight 94 kg
Adnan Mohammad v Mohammed Ajaraam
Lightweight 60kg
Zakaria Eljamari v Faridoon Alik Zai
Light heavyweight 81.4kg
Mahmood Amin v Taha Marrouni
Light welterweight 64.5kg
Siyovush Gulmamadov v Nouredine Samir
Light heavyweight 81.4kg
Ilyass Habibali v Haroun Baka
The Comeback: Elvis And The Story Of The 68 Special
Simon Goddard
Omnibus Press
The details
Heard It in a Past Life
Maggie Rogers
(Capital Records)
3/5
