Psychobiological Disorders and Interventions

Question 1

Describe how exposure therapy works.

Answer 1

“Treat phobias through exposure to the feared CS (e.g. car) in theabsence of the UCS (e.g. accident)
Response prevention is used to keep the operant avoidant response from occurring
This is highly effective at reducing anxiety states”

Question 2

Why is exposure therapy controversial?

Answer 2

It causes intense temporary anxiety

Question 3

Describe the basis in learning theory of exposure therapy.

Answer 3

It is influenced by both classic and operant conditioning approaches

Question 4

What is cognitive theory?

Answer 4

The idea that it isn’t directly a response to a stimulus rather it goes stimulus -> cognition -> response Something happens and the appraisal you make of that situation or even will determine your response

Question 5

Outline Clark’s cognitive theory of panic .

Answer 5

Individuals with panic interpret certain bodily sensations in a catastrophic fashion. Sensations (especially those associated with a normal anxiety response like hyperventilation or palpitation) are interpreted as a sign of pathology or impending physical or psychological disaster.

Question 6

Outline how cognitive therapy works.

Answer 6

Cognitive therapy basically adresses the interpretation of sensations, which are there in response to something else, that cause the anxiety/panic attack and aggrevated physical and cognitive symptoms. I.e. it address the appraisal of the stimulus that lead to the response

Question 7

Compare the effectiveness of CBT with the effectiveness of anti-depressants.

Answer 7

CBT has a much lower rate of relapse than anti-depressants

Question 8

What are the key symptoms for diagnosing depression?

Answer 8

difficulty concentrating
excessive or inappropriate guilt
depressed mood
hopelessness
diminished interest in activities
recurrent thoughts of death or suicide,
changes in appetite or sleep,
psychomotor agitation or retardation,
reduced energy or fatigue

Question 9

What are some examples of psychological interventions in healthcare?

Answer 9

• Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) (which includes psychoeducation, relaxation techniques, graded exposure, cognitive restructuring)
• Anti-depressants: for severely depressed patients or those that are mildly depressed for a long time or if first line of treatment (CBT) did not work
• Mindfulness-therapy = recognising thoughts as just thoughts and not reality and instead of engaging with those thoughts just change the relationship to the thoughts: recognise those thoughts from a distance
• Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT): Acceptance of struggles and problems of life - can be especially helpful in chronic illness and disability.