Psychobiology and psychological therapies Flashcards
What is the transactional model of stress
The pattern of cognitive appraisals, physiological responses and behavioural tendencies that occur in response to a perceived imbalance to situational demands and the resources needed to cope with them
What is Seyle’s general adapatation syndrome
Stage 1 - Alarm reaction
- Shift to sympathetic dominance and therefore increased arousal
Stage 2 – Resistance
- Endocrine system releases ACTH to maintain arousal
- resources are mobilised (and are depleted) by stress hormones – i.e. glucose
Stage 3 – Exhaustion
- Adrenals lose ability to function normally
- increased vulnerability to disease in the weakened/depleted body state
Describe the pathways linking events to disease
Events lead to stress which can either cause physiological or behavioural changes both of which can cause disease
What are the effects of stress on the immune system
Stress leads to immunosuppression
Wound healing decreases with stress
Can be generalised or specific stress
What is the type A type B personality theory
There is a spectrum of personalities with type A at one end and type B at the other
Type A are competitive/goal driven, time urgent, hostile and aggressive
Type B are relaxed, patient and easy going
What is the relationship between type A behaviour and cardiovascular health
Type A personalities are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease
Define placebo and nocebo
Placebo is when an inactive substance like sugar or saline solution can improve a patients condition simply because they think it will be helpful
Nocebo is a negative effect that happens after treatment (even if its a placebo). Warning about potential side effects will make it much more likely that the patient will report those side effects
What are the different methods of coping with illness
Problem focused coping :
- Planning, active coping and problem solving, suppression of competing activities, exercising restraint, assertive confrontation
Emotion focused coping :
- Positive reinterpretation, acceptance, denial, repression, escape-avoidance, wishful thinking, controlling feelings
Seeking social support :
- Help and guidance, emotional support, affirmation of worth, tangible aid (e.g. money)
What is exposure therapy
Treating phobias through exposure to the feared conditioned stimulus in the absence of the unconditioned stimulus (i.e. dog without biting).
This is very effective in reducing anxiety responses
Why is exposure therapy controversial
It induces intense temporary anxiety by means of exposure to the phobia
What is the basis of exposure therapy in learning theory
It is influenced by the classic conditioning model and operant conditioning model
Describe cognitive therapy
Cognitive therapy requires a collaborative effort between therapist and patient
It works to identify the problematic beliefs and behaviours that maintain the disease
It is goal oriented and should have specific measurable outcomes
How does cognitive behavioural therapy compare to anti-depressant medications
Cognitive behavioural therapy has been shown to have significantly lower relapse rates than anti-depressant medication
What is a depressive episode characterised by
Daily depressed mood or diminished interest in activity lasting at least two weeks
Also difficulty concentrating, feelings of worthlessness, excessive or inappropriate guilt, hopelessness, recurrent thoughts of death or suicide, changes in appetite or sleep, psychomotor agitation or retardation, reduced energy or fatigue
What are the NICE guideline on anti depressant use
Do not use antidepressants routinely to treat persistent subthreshold depressive symptoms or mild depression because the risk–benefit ratio is poor
Consider antidepressants for people with:
- a past history of moderate or severe depression
- subthreshold depressive symptoms present for a long time
- subthreshold depressive symptoms or mild depression that persist(s) after other interventions.
