Psychological Problems

Question 1

What is CBT?

Answer 1

• Form of therapy which is used to empower a patient into changing the way they think so they can change the way they act.
• It’s there so the patient can help themselves improve their symptoms

Question 2

What is the CBT process?

Answer 2

• Patient considers how they feel, why they feel and their thinking process
• Therapist challenges and nudges patient into thinking more rationally
• Patient will start feeling better after thinking rationally.
• This encourages them to engage with friends and do more which improves symptoms more

Question 3

Strengths of CBT

Answer 3

• There is evidence that CBT is very effective. Beltman et al (2010) states that depressed patients taking CBT were improving more than patients without treatment or waiting on treatment.
• CBT is a longer lasting solution compared to medication because it gives patients their own independence through a little guidance.

Question 4

Weaknesses of CBT

Answer 4

• The therapist is in a position of power which they can abuse. This can cause some ethical issues in CBT as they can try to make their patient achieve their one standard of ‘normal’ instead of the one that can help them.
• One symptom of depression is lack of motivation so the person may not attend all the sessions or do the homework to help them improve.

Question 5

What is drug therapy?

Answer 5

Patients with moderate to severe depression may be offered drug therapy as a form of treatment.
This therapy may also work for patients with mild depression if CBT doesn’t work for them.
Antidepressants work by raising neurotransmitter levels because they have a play in our mood.

Question 6

Serotonin

Answer 6

a neurotransmitter associated with controlling mood

Question 7

Noradrenaline

Answer 7

A type of neurotransmitter that is associated with mood and releases during stressful times.

Question 8

Reuptake

Answer 8

Neurons reabsorbing neurotransmitters they released.
Placebo: A fake pill which is used instead of actual medication. The patient doesn’t know it’s fake.

Question 9

Relapse

Answer 9

A return of symptoms after a patient has undergone treatment.

Question 10

How does serotonin work in the brain?

Answer 10

Serotonin goes to the synapse and then gets picked up by receptors. Whatever serotonin is left in the synapse gets reuptake and the process is repeated.

Question 11

Drug therapy for depression strengths?

Answer 11

They improve mood quickly. If a patient is at risk of suicide, a quick/effective temporary solution is drug therapy.
50-65% of patients show improvement compared to 20% with a placebo. This shows clear evidence about how these drugs actually work for certain patients.

Question 12

Drug therapy for depression weaknesses?

Answer 12

Side effects are an issue. Although drug therapy has its benefits, certain downsides can outweigh them. Some side effects can affect the patient’s body or make the depression worse.

Question 13

SSRIs

Answer 13

• They block the reuptake of serotonin so it can be available longer.
• Then there is more opportunity for other neurons to absorb it which should improve your mood.
• Prozac/fluoxetine

Question 14

SRNIs

Answer 14

These block reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine.
This improves the effect of the noradrenaline and serotonin for a longer time which also improves mood.
Used for ADHD, OCD and pain disorders.
Duloxetine and venlafaxine are SRNIs.

Question 15

MAOIs

Answer 15

These prevent the enzyme monoamine oxidase (MAOA) from doing its job properly.
This drug helps make more neurotransmitters available which lifts one’s mood.
Isocarboxazid (marplan) is a MAOI

Question 16

TCAs

Answer 16

Oldest drugs (1950s)
Boost the effect of serotonin and noradrenaline in the brain by stopping these neurotransmitters from being reabsorbed.
They have a longer lasting effect.
Amitriptyline and Desipramine (norpramin) are TCAs.

Question 17

Addiction

Answer 17

A psychological problem where people believe they have to do a certain thing to avoid negative emotions.
International Classification of Diseases calls addiction a dependence disorder,
People with addictions usually have withdrawal symptoms if they can’t do what they are addicted to.
Withdrawal symptoms can be so severe that someone with an addiction may feel their addiction is the only thing that will make them feel normal again.

Question 18

Symptoms

Answer 18

Addiction is referred to as a dependence disorder because the body depends on the substance to feel normal.
You must have at least 3 symptoms at the same time for a month or repeated times during the year to be classified to have an addiction.

Question 19

List Of Symptoms (Substance):

Answer 19

Replacing normal/fun activities to prioritise time with the substance or recovery from it.
Ignoring that the addiction is harmful for them.
Increasing dosage because their tolerance to the substance is increasing and they want their ‘buzz’ back.
Physical withdrawal symptoms (e.g, vomiting, shaking)

Question 20

List Of Symptoms (Behavioural):

Answer 20

They need to do the activity regularly.
They ignore arguments that the activity is damaging/harmful to themselves.
They spend more time with the addiction than fun/normal activities.
Reducing the activity is very difficult.

Question 21

Features of Addiction:

Answer 21

During 2014 to 2015, there were 141,646 adults being treated for addiction.
Most were addicted to drugs like heroin or alcohol.
2 million people in the UK are suffering from some kind of addiction.
The ICD-10 doesn’t recognise internet addiction as it seems to be a new case.
6% of the world has an internet problem.
A UK study finds that in 2014, 16% of 1800 18-24 year olds admitted to spending around 15 hours online.’

Question 22

Incidences of Addiction Over Time

Answer 22

The definition of addiction changed.
Addiction now includes the internet and video games.
Addictions are rising.
A report by the Centre of Social Justice 2006 suggests that sources of addiction have become cheaper which could increase their use.
27% of people said they’ve used an illegal substance in 2008.
31% of people said they’ve used an illegal substance in 2014.

Question 23

How does Addiction Affect Individuals?

Answer 23

Ignore family and friends.
Quality of life could diminish
Mental health problems

Question 24

How does Addiction Affect Society?

Answer 24

May stop going to work
Criminal behavior increase
NHS cost
Time out of work

Question 25

Genetic Explanation of Depression?

Answer 25

Addictions can run in families
Genetics would help explain why not everyone gets addicted to certain substances.

Question 26

Addiction Gene Studies

Answer 26

Carmelli et al 1992 found that one identical twin is more likely to get addicted if their identical twin is, compared to dizygotic twins.
Goodwin et al 1973 found that adopted children who had at least one biological parent with an alcohol addiction are more likely to become addicted than those without an addicted parent.
Cadoret et al found that adopted children who have a biological connection with an alcohol addict are more likely to have alcohol problems. They also found that if there are alcohol problems in the adoptive family there is also greater risk of alcoholism, so they believe the environment plays a role as well.

Question 27

DDR2 Gene

Answer 27

DDR2 is a gene that is shown to have some correlation to addiction.
Variation of the A1 gene.
Many addictions like alcoholism and gambling are linked with this gene.
Gene is believed to affect the brain’s reaction to pleasure.
Martinez et al 2004 found that heavier cocaine indulgers had fewer dopamine receptors for that gene.

Question 28

Genetic explanation of addiction (Strengths)

Answer 28

Takes away the stigma around addiction by showing that it’s not always a thing you can control.
Has scientific evidence to back up the results.
Gives an explanation why some people get addicted, and others do not.

Question 29

Genetic explanation of addiction (Weaknesses)

Answer 29

Gives an overly simple answer which only concerns one factor affecting results.
There is no single identified gene which has been proven to influence addiction

Question 30

Drug therapy Addiction Therapy:

Answer 30

Patients can suffer from many addiction types so treatment can be complicated.
Treatment depends on the type of addiction and severity of it.
Some substances cause side effects when one stops using them.
Medication is there to help reduce these side effects.

Question 31

Withdrawal:

Answer 31

Physical symptoms when they stop the addictive behaviour
This can make staying clean, off the substance, hard.
Drugs are given to stop relapse.

Question 32

Reducing Cravings:

Answer 32

Many patients find that they crave their substance after quitting, due to their bodies and mind getting accustomed to it.
Since the nervous system has become used to the effects of the drugs, the body craves them after stopping to feel normal again.
Some medications try to mimic the drug in a less harmful way to control the relapse symptoms.

Question 33

CBT To Prevent Addiction:

Answer 33

Developed by Beck and Ellis (1950s & 60s)
Began to stop alcoholics and is now applied to other addictions.
Aims to help people understand their triggers for their behaviour and teach them how to control them.

Question 34

Functional Analysis (CBT)

Answer 34

First stage of addiction CBT treatment
Identifies triggers and what they are
Looks at emotions
Helps by understanding the source of addiction and learning what places, people or feelings to avoid to prevent the addictive behaviour.

Question 35

Skills Analysis

Answer 35

Second stage of CBT
Helps patients find ways to control their behavioural patterns.
Once functional analysis is complete, therapists teach them skills to avoid addiction.

Question 36

CBT For Addiction (Strengths)

Answer 36

Gives patient control and helps them help themselves by building the right skills.
Young 2007 evidence supports CBT being effective for internet addiction in the short term and up to 6 months.