Psychological Treatments

Question 1

List some common types of mental health disorders?

Answer 1

• Affective/Anxiety Disorders
• Substance Misuse Disorders
• Disorders of reaction to psychological stress (PTSD)

Question 2

List some types of Affective/Anxiety disorders?

Answer 2

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)
Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
Panic Disorder and Phobic Anxiety Disorders
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Question 3

List some substances that commonly lead to misuse disorders?

Answer 3

• Alcohol
• Tobacco
• Opioids/Benzos/Stimulants

Question 4

List some features of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy?

Answer 4

• How thoughts relate to feelings
• Particularly good for depression, anxiety, phobias, OCD, PTSD
• Focus on here and now
• Short-term
• Problem focussed, goal oriented
• Individual, group, self-help book or computer programme

Question 5

What negative thought patterns may a therapist help identify in CBT?

Answer 5

• Automatic negative thoughts
• Unrealistic beliefs
• Cognitive distortions
• Catastrophizing
• Black and white / all or nothing thinking
• Perfectionism

Question 6

What may clients engage in for ‘homework’ in CBT?

Answer 6

• Graded exposure

- Response prevention

Question 7

What is involved in behavioural activation?

Answer 7

Focus on avoided activities

• As a guide for activity scheduling
• For a functional analysis of cognitive processes that involve avoidance

Focus on what predicts/maintains an unhelpful response by various reinforcers

Client taught to analyse unintended consequences of their way of responding

• Collaborative, non-judgemental approach
• Small changes - build to long-term goals

Question 8

List some types of avoidance in depression?

Answer 8

• Social withdrawal
• Non-social avoidance
• Cognitive avoidance
• Avoidance by distraction
• Emotional avoidance

Question 9

What is involved in Interpersonal Therapy (IPT)?

Answer 9

• Treatment for depression/anxiety
• Time limited (12-16 weeks)
• Focused on the present
• Recognises that depression often follows a disturbing change in significant I-P event (Complicated bereavement, dispute, role transition etc)
• ‘Sick Role’ given
• Interpersonal map construction
• Links depressive symptoms to interpersonal events
• Goal setting

Question 10

What are some of the strengths of interpersonal therapy

Answer 10

• A grade evidence for treating depression
• No formal homework
• Can continue to practise beyond the sessions ending

Question 11

What are some of the limitations of interpersonal therapy

Answer 11

• Requires degree of ability to reflect

- Where poor social networks – limited interpersonal support

Question 12

What is involved in Motivational Interviewing (MI)?

Answer 12

• Promotes behaviour change
• Used where behaviour change is being considered, when patient may be unmotivated or ambivalent to change
• Express empathy
• Avoid argument
• Support self-efficacy

Question 13

What are the stages of change in the cycle of change?

Answer 13

-Pre-contemplation
-Contemplation
-Planning/determination
-Action
-Maintenance
(-Regression/Relapse)