Psychological Treatments Flashcards
(26 cards)
Why is there no streamlined process for psychological treatment?
Because symptoms can be very different for everyone.
What are external barriers to treatment?
Cost, time, and location.
What are internal barriers to treatment?
Restrictive beliefs held by the person.
What is ego-dystonic in relation to internal treatment barriers?
Having a negative relationship with the disorder.
Why is ego-syntonic a barrier to treatment?
Because if a person does not see their symptoms as a problem, they may not seek help.
What is ego-syntonic in relation to internal treatment barriers?
Having a positive relationship with the disorder and embracing it.
What is the precontemplation stage of change?
An inability or unwillingness to acknowledge the existence of a problem.
What is the contemplation stage of change?
The person acknowledges the problem but may be unsure or unwilling to change.
What is the preparation stage of change?
The person acknowledges the problem and is preparing to take action.
What is the action stage of change?
Taking active steps to change the behavior.
What is the maintenance stage of change?
The person maintains the healthy habits formed during the action stage.
What can stressors do in relation to behavior change?
They can trigger the re-emergence of unhealthy behaviors.
What is a relapse in the context of psychological treatment?
The return of old unhealthy behaviors, forcing the person back into precontemplation.
What are the qualifications of a clinical psychologist?
Ph.D in clinical psychology, focus on psychological therapy, and not qualified to prescribe medication.
What are the qualifications of a psychiatrist?
They have an MD, focus on the medical aspect, and are qualified to prescribe medication.
What are efficacy trials?
Trials that test if a treatment works under ideal settings with highly specific populations.
What are effectiveness trials?
Trials that test if a treatment works in real-world settings with inclusive populations.
What are biomedical therapies?
Treatments that adjust neurochemistry; pharmacological treatments are most common.
What do antipsychotic medications treat?
Symptoms of psychosis like delusions and hallucinations in schizophrenia.
How do antipsychotic medications work?
They block dopamine activity by binding to postsynaptic receptors and preventing dopamine from binding.
What do benzodiazepines treat?
Short-term symptoms of anxiety and panic.
How do benzodiazepines work?
They increase GABA activity, making the postsynaptic cell less likely to fire, leading to calmness.
What do SSRIs treat?
Symptoms of depression.
How do SSRIs work?
They inhibit serotonin reuptake, making serotonin last longer in the synaptic cleft, increasing activity.
