Psychological Disorders & Interventions

Question 1

Exposure therapy

Answer 1

Exposure Therapy

a. Treat phobias through exposure to the feared CS (i.e. car) in the absence of the UCS (i.e. accident)
b. Response prevention is used to keep the operant avoidant response from occurring
c. Highly effective for reducing anxiety responses
d. Controversial because intense temporary anxiety is created by treatment

Basis in Learning Theory

e. Influenced by both classical and operant conditioning approaches

Question 2

Cognitive therapy

Answer 2

Focuses on problematic beliefs and behaviour that maintain disorders

• Goal-oriented (i.e. specific and measurable)
• Collaborative relationship between therapist and patient
• Brief (8-16 sessions)
• ‘Scientific’ approach

Question 3

Examples of psychological interventions in healthcare

Answer 3

• Individual CBT:

* Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy

Question 4

Symptoms of depression

Answer 4

Depressed mood
Loss of appetite
Insomnia
Fatigue
Feelings of worthlessness
Diminished ability to concentrate

Question 5

Treatment of depression

Answer 5

• Consider antidepressants for people with:
o A past history of moderate or severe depression or…
o Sub-threshold depressive symptoms present for a long time or…
o Sub-threshold depressive symptoms or mild depression that persist(s) after other interventions