14. Psychological disorders and interventions

Question 1

what is exposure therapy?

Answer 1

• treat phobias through exposure to the feared conditioned stimulus (e.g. car) in the absence of the un-conditioned stimulus (accident) - response prevention is used to keep the avoidant response from occurring - highly effective for reducing anxiety responses - controversial because intense temporary anxiety is created by treatment

Question 2

what is the basis of exposure therapy in learning theory?

Answer 2

influenced by both classical and operant conditioning approaches

Question 3

what is the cognitive model of panic disorder?

Answer 3

internal/external trigger –> perceived threat –> anxiety –> physical/cognitive symptoms –> misinterpretation –> anxiety (cycles round)

Question 4

what is a panic attack?

Answer 4

a discrete period in which there is the sudden onset of intense apprehension, fearfulness, or terror, often associated with feelings of impending doom symptoms of shortness of breath, palpitations, chest pain or discomfort, choking or smothering sensations, and fear of “going crazy” or losing control

Question 5

what are the key components of cognitive therapy?

Answer 5

• identify the nature of thoughts - they don’t have to be true to affect the patient’s emotions - learn about common biases in thought - treat thoughts as “guesses” or “hypotheses” about the world

Question 6

list some psychological interventions used in healthcare

Answer 6

• cognitive behavioural therapy - mindfulness-based cognitive therapy - acceptance and commitment therapy

Question 7

what is cognitive behavioural therapy?

Answer 7

• focuses on problematic beliefs and behaviours that maintain disorders - goal oriented - collaborative relationship between the therapist and patient

Question 8

what is cognitive behavioural therapy used for?

Answer 8

• anxiety disorders - people who have relapsed despite antidepressant medication - people with a significant history of depression despite treatment

Question 9

what is mindfulness-based cognitive therapy?

Answer 9

• paying attention in a particular way: on purpose, in the present moment and non-judgementally - recognising thoughts as thoughts

Question 10

what is mindfulness-based cognitive therapy used for?

Answer 10

people who are currently well but have experienced 3 or more episodes of depression

Question 11

what is acceptance and commitment therapy?

Answer 11

• prioritising what is important to the patient, despite functional impairment or poor system control - focuses on the here and now - shows patient they are unchanged by time and experience - allows patients to observe their thoughts without being ruled by them - allows patients to be willing to experience difficult thoughts

Question 12

what is acceptance commitment therapy used for?

Answer 12

chronic pain - patients often get into a vicious cycle of experiencing pain and then avoiding activities leading to a physical progressive deconditioning (an avoidance cycle that is constantly being reinforced) decreased activity –> lower mood –> increased perception of pain