2214 - Module 9-11 Flashcards
neurodevelopmental disorders include:
- fetal alcohol spectrum disorder
- intellectual disorders
- motor disorders and others
2 features shared by neurodevelopmental disorders
- neurological dysfunction underlying capacity for intellectual, social, and/or physical development
- people with disorders often have a difficult time fitting into and being included in society
ADHD diagnoses
- characterized by inattentive, hyperactive, impulsive behaviour.
- 6/18 symptoms including:
- difficulty waiting turn
- completing schoolwork or workplace tasks
- excessive talking
- difficulty fixing attention
criticism of ADHD perspective
- syndrome may be explained by immaturity
- classroom setting not suitable for all, should make more accommodating environments
- youngest children in classes most likely to be diagnosed
The essential features of autism
- difficulty understanding the need to be social
- struggle to manage social life and social expectations
reason for the increased prevalence of autism diagnosis
increase as we become a more urban and socially complex society
explanations for ADHD
- general neurological deficit
- initially thought to be caused by brain injury
- diet
Treatment for ADHD
Primary treatment: Ritalin (stimulant drug)
- ethical questions about prescribing drugs for children
- side effects include bed-wetting, hallucinations
Alternative treatments:
- dietary approaches (Feingold diet)
- educational interventions
- holistic approaches
- CBT, neurofeedback
Treatment for autism
no treatment but drugs sometimes used to relieve symptoms and behaviors
The Neurodiversity Movement
- argues that these conditions are not to be “cured” and can be a positive part of a person’s identity
- conditions are not pathological but parts of normal human behavior
- it is more important to make environments more accomodating
critics of the neurodiversity movement
- assumes that autism is a neurological issue
- members tend to be high-functioning, may ignore people who are non-verbal or unable to participate
Recovery
- staying in control of one’s life despite living with a mental illness
- does not necessarily refer to living a life completely free of symptoms
Putting recovery into action
- building resilience
- helping people look beyond mere existence
- encouraging people to set goals and ambitions, to move forward and build relationships
Things that support recovery
- good relationships
- developing cultural and spiritual perspectives
- building resilience
- personal growth
- right living environment
- financial security
- hope
Things that are helpful for recovery
- being listened to and understood
- the ability to temporarily withdraw from responsibilities during a time of crisis
- getting explanations for problems and experiences
- being believed in
Components of recovery
- hope
- empowerment
- support
- medication/treatment
- employment
- meaningful activities
7 goals of a transformed mental health system
- active support
- promotion of mental health and prevention of mental illness
- addressing individual and group needs and disparities
- recognizing the role of and including families
- Using evidence to inform care
- ensuring people with mental illnesses are engaged as active members of society
- ensuring equitable and timely access to treatment
Barriers to Evidence-based Care
- uninformed public
- traditions - scientific method does not allow clinicians to use their skills
- professional self-determination
- lack of oversight of clinicians
- clinicians may think they are using evidence-based care when they are not
- it is in the best interest of practicing clinicians not to have their methods examined
Empirically Supported Evidence
- at least 2 RCTs, that are shown to be effective, conducted by at least 2 different researchers
- problems: some results cannot be measured, treatment in real-life situations is more complex than in research
Psychotherapy
- treatment that involves talking and thinking using psychological techniques from a psychological perspective
- used to overcome difficulties and achieve personal growth
Biomedical therapy
- uses medical treatments such as medication and biological techniques and treatments
Psychoanalysis
Goals:
- bring repressed feelings and emotions to conscious awareness
- relieve energy associated with id-eg–superego conflict
Techniques:
- historical reconstruction with hypnosis followed by free association
- interpretation of resistance/transference
Psychodynamic Therapy
Goal:
- to understand symptoms
- to explore and gain perspective on defended-against thoughts and feelings
Techniques:
- face-to-face meetings
- therapist guides client through past troubles to understand current difficulties
Humanistic Therapies
Insight therapies
Theme: people’s potential for self-fulfillment and new insights
Goals:
- reduce inner conflicts that interfere with growth
- grow in self-awareness and self-acceptance
Techniques:
- focus on taking responsibility for feelings and actions
- focus on the present and future rather than the past
Insight Therapies
Psychodynamic and Humanistic Therapies
- improve functioning by increasing awareness to motives and defenses
Behavior Therapies - Classical Conditioning Techniques
- Exposure Therapy: reduce anxiety by exposing a person to real or imagined things they fear or avoid
- Systematic Desensitization: associates relaxed state while increasing anxiety-inducing stimuli
Beck’s therapy for depression
- gentle questioning reveals irrational thinking, person is persuaded to change perceptions of own and other’s actions from being dark, negative, or pessimistic
- people are trained to modify negative self-talk
