Psychological disorders and interventions Flashcards
Exposure therapy (and basis in learning theory)
Exposure Approach is influenced by both classical and operant conditioning approaches:
E.g. In someone who is scared to drive again after a car accident
Treat phobias through exposure to the feared CS (i.e. car) in the absence of the UCS (i.e. accident)
Response prevention is used to keep the operant avoidant response from occurring
Highly effective for reducing anxiety responses
Cognitive therapy (key components)
stimulus
Define what is meant by a panic attack
discrete period in which there is the sudden onset of intense apprehension, fearfulness, or terror, often associated with feeling of impending doom. During these attacks, symptoms such as shortness of breath, palpitations, chest pain or discomfort, choking or smothering sensations, and fear of “going crazy” or losing control are present.
Define what is meant by agoraphobia
Agoraphobia may arise by the fear of having a panic attack in a setting from which escape is difficult (or embarrassing)
Examples of psychological interventions in healthcare (identify examples only
- CBT therapy
- mindfullness based cognitive therapy
- acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)
what are behaviour therapies
e.g in car accident
Exposure Approach = influenced by both classical and operant conditioning approaches:
- Treat phobias through exposure to the feared CS (i.e. car) in the absence of the UCS (i.e. accident)
- Response prevention = used to keep the operant avoidant response from occurring
- Highly effective for reducing anxiety responses
- -> via systematic desensitization
(e. g 1st = sit in stationary car –> drive car)
Two-factor theory of maintenance of conditioned associations e.g. fear
a) supermarket + traumatic incident –> Fear
b) Avoid supermarkets –> fear is reduced –> tendency to avoid supermarket is strengthened
Clark’s (1986) cognitive theory of panic
internal/external trigger –> perceived threat –> causes anxiety –> causes physical/ cognitive symptoms –> causes misinterpretation e.g “palpitations - im having a heart attack” –> which can lead to anxiety
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Cardiac Anxiety
treatment comprises of:
Treatment comprised of:
- Psychoeducation
- Relaxation techniques
- Cognitive restructuring
- Behavioural experiments (re-expose to triggers –> prove their thoughts wrong)
- Graded exposure
- Relapse prevention
Define what is meant by depressive episode
a period of almost daily depressed mood or diminished interest in activities lasting at least two weeks
also include:
- difficulty concentrating
- inappropriate guilt
- change in appeptite/ sleep
- fatigue
- death/ suicidal thoughts
What are possible mechanisms underlying placebo effect ?
- classical conditioning
- modelling
- expectations
Psychotherapy esp CBT is most effective but different psychotherapies show little different
CBT = esp effective for anxiety disorders
NICE guidelines - identifying depression
what 2 main Qs would you ask
During the last month, have you often been bothered by feeling down, depressed or hopeless?
During the last month, have you often been bothered by having little interest or pleasure in doing things?
you should only consider anti depressants for:
you should only consider anti depressants for:
those with:
- past history of moderate or severe depression or
- subthreshold depressive symptoms present for a long time or
- subthreshold depressive symptoms or mild depression that persist(s) after other interventions.
What are some Psychological intervention for relapse prevention?
- individual CBT
- mindfulness based cognitive therapy
- -> recognizing thoughts as thoughts
- -> cortisol levels decrease with mindfulness program
