Mental Health Therapeutic Procedures

Question 1

Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)

Answer 1

Procedure occasionally used for cases of prolonged major depression. This controversial treatment involves placement of an electrode on one or both sides of the patient’s head and a current is turned on briefly causing a convulsive seizure. A low level of voltage is used in modern electroconvulsive therapy, and the patient is administered a muscle relaxant and anesthesia. Advocates of this treatment state that it is a more effective way to treat severe depression than using drugs. It is not effective with disorders other than depression, such as schizophrenia and alcoholism

Question 2

Psychopharmacology

Answer 2

Study of the effects of drugs on the mind and particularly the use of drugs in treating mental disorders. The main classes of drugs for the treatment of mental disorders are: antipsychotic drugs, antidepressant drugs, minor tranquilizers, and lithium

Question 3

Antipsychotic Drugs

Answer 3

Major tranquilizers include chlorpromazine (Thorazine), haloperidol (Haldol), clozapine (Clozaril), and risperidone. These drugs have transformed the treatment of patients with psychoses and schizophrenia by reducing patient agitation and panic and shortening schizophrenic episodes. One of the side effects of these drugs is involuntary muscle movements, which approximately one-fourth of all adults who take the drugs develop

Question 4

Antidepressant Drugs

Answer 4

Classified as stimulants and alter the patient’s mood by affecting levels of neurotransmitters in the brain. Antidepressants, such as serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, are nonaddictive but they can produce unpleasant side effects such as dry mouth, weight gain, blurred vision, and nausea

Question 5

Minor Tranquilizers

Answer 5

Include Valium and Xanax. These are also classified as central nervous system depressants and are prescribed for anxiety

Question 6

Lithium

Answer 6

Special category of drug used successfully to calm patients who suffer from bipolar disorder (depression alternating with manic excitement)

Question 7

Psychotherapy

Answer 7

A method of treating mental disorders by mental rather than chemical or physical means

Question 8

Psychoanalysis

Answer 8

Method of obtaining a detailed account of the past and present emotional and mental experiences from the patient to determine the source of the problem and eliminate the effects. It is a system developed by Sigmund Freud that encourages the patient to discuss repressed, painful, or hidden experiences with the hope of eliminating or minimizing the problem

Question 9

Humanistic Psychotherapy

Answer 9

Therapist does not delve into the patients’ past when using these methods. Instead, it is believed that patients can learn how to use their own internal resources to deal with their problems. The therapist creates a therapeutic atmosphere, which builds patient self-esteem and encourages discussion of problems, thereby gaining insight in how to handle them. Also called ‘client-centered’ or ‘nondirective psychotherapy.’

Question 10

Family and Group Psychotherapy

Answer 10

Often described as solution focused, the therapist places minimal emphasis on patient past history and strong emphasis on having patient state and discuss goals and then find a way to achieve them