M4. Lesson 4: Treatment of Mental Disorders - An Overview Flashcards
Who can seek treatment?
Anyone can.
What does David Sack say about seeking treatment?
David Sack, M.D. (2013) writes in the article 5 Signs Its Time to Seek Therapy, published in Psychology Today, that “most people can benefit from therapy at least some point in their lives,” and though the signs you need to seek help are obvious at times, we often try “to sustain [our] busy life until it sets in that life has become unmanageable.”
When should we seek help?
- First, if we feel sad, angry, or not like ourselves. We might be withdrawing from friends and families or sleeping more or less than we usually do.
- Second, if we are abusing drugs, alcohol, food, or sex to deal with life’s problems. In this case, our coping skills may need some work.
- Third, in instances when we have lost a loved one or something else important to us, whether due to death or divorce, the grief may be too much to process.
- Fourth, a traumatic event may have occurred, such as abuse, a crime, an accident, chronic illness, or rape.
- Finally, if you have stopped doing the things you enjoy the most.
What does Sack say about deciding on trying therapy?
Sack (2013) says, “If you decide that therapy is worth a try, it doesn’t mean you’re in for a lifetime of head shrinking.”
How many visits does it take for most people to feel better?
A 2001 study in the Journal of Counseling Psychology found that most people feel better within seven to 10 visits.
What is the percentage of people that felt better after just one session?
In another study, published in 2006 in the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 88% of therapy-goers reported improvements after just one session.”
In order to avoid facing the stigma on mental health, what do people resort to?
Instead of facing the potential stigma of talking to a mental health professional, many people think that talking through their problems with friends or family is just as good.
Why is talking to your friends and family not the same or not enough than when talking to a psychologist?
Though you will ultimately need these people to see you through your recovery, they do not have the training and years of experience that a psychologist or similar professional has.
What makes psychologists important in treating mental health?
Psychologists can recognize behavior or thought patterns objectively, more so than those closest to you who may have stopped noticing — or maybe never noticed. A psychologist might offer remarks or observations similar to those in your existing relationships, but their help may be more effective due to their timing, focus, or your trust in their neutral stance.
You also should not wait to recover on your own. Why is that?
It is not a failure to admit you need help, and there could be a biological issue that makes it almost impossible to heal yourself.
What exactly is psychotherapy?
According to the APA, in psychotherapy “psychologists apply scientifically validated procedures to help people develop healthier, more effective habits.”
What are the different approaches that can be utilized in psychotherapy?
Several different approaches can be utilized to include behavior, cognitive and cognitive-behavior, humanistic-experiential, psychodynamic, couples and family, and biological treatments.
What is the ideal client-therapist relationship?
APA says, “Psychotherapy is a collaborative treatment based on the relationship between an individual and a psychologist. Grounded in dialogue, it provides a supportive environment that allows you to talk openly with someone who’s objective, neutral and nonjudgmental. You and your psychologist will work together to identify and change the thought and behavior patterns that are keeping you from feeling your best.”
Aside from solving the problem with your therapist, what else can your therapist help you with?
It’s not just about solving the problem you saw the therapist for, but also about learning new skills to help you cope better in the future when faced with the same or similar environmental stressors.
So how do you find a psychotherapist?
Several strategies may prove fruitful.
You could:
- ask family and friends,
- your primary care physician (PCP),
- look online,
- consult an area community mental health center,
- your local university’s psychology department,
- state psychological association,
- or use APA’s Psychologist Locator Service
