Psychology C2 - treatment and managements

Question 1

physiological treatments

Answer 1

-aim to alter processed in ways that assist recovery and combat stress

Question 2

Nicotine substitutes

Answer 2

-nicotine = in tobacco smoke = addictive
-Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) provides it in doses using skin patches, gum, tablets, nasal inhalers and sprays
-dose = controlled and ‘cleaner’
-some have immediate effects, other have longer benefits

Question 3

nicotine substitutes – mechanism

Answer 3

-nicotine molecules delivered via NRT, attach to receptors in neurons in ventral tegmental area (VTA) of brain
-stimulates release of dopamine in nucleus accumbens

Question 4

nicotine substitutes – withdrawal

Answer 4

-nicotine dose reduces gradually
-withdrawal symptoms managed over a period of 2-3 months – improves chances of avoiding relapse

Question 5

drug treatments for alcohol addiction – disulfiram

Answer 5

-antabuse
-drug works by disrupting body’s normal process of alcohol – makes drinker sensitive to it
-once client takes disulfiram, when drinking, they quickly experience effects of a severe hangover
-client associates alcohol with unpleasant sensations, abstain from alcohol

Question 6

drug treatments for alcohol addiction – acamprosate

Answer 6

-campral
-drug helps client avoid relapse once they have withdrawn
-stabilises the level of neurotransmitter GABA in the brain, becomes disrupted during withdrawal
-effect = reduce client’s cravings for alcohol

Question 7

over-the-counter (OTC) stress remedies

Answer 7

-3 available OTC remedies: valerian, chamomile and lavender – derived from herbs and contrain chemicals
-mild sedative, reduces anxiety and promotes relaxation, leads to better sleep
-herbal remedies = ‘natural’, derived from plants, alter physiological and psychological functions

Question 8

exercise

Answer 8

-physical activity = self-help, ‘prescribed’ by GPs – reduce stress
-helps combat negative effects of stress, replicates symptoms of fight or flight
-provides body with small doses of ‘stress’, increases person’s resilience and protective effect against daily stress
-is a distraction, allows us to focus on other things

Question 9

exercise – release of endorphins

Answer 9

-effects central nervous system
-painkilling properties, increase production of dopamine – ‘feel good’ chemical
-provides short feeling of euphoria
-long-term = improves mood, induces relaxation and promotes optimism

Question 10

practical uses
(evaluation)
+

Answer 10

-they have flexible and wide-ranging uses
-nicotine substitutes come in different forms, 1 or 2 types that suit most people
-disulfiram = used outside hospitals
-OTC remedies may not reduce stress on their own, used with other treatments
-exercise can be flexible to include different physical activities
-physiological treatments = useful, can be used by many people and with other treatments

Question 11

support for effectiveness
(evaluation)
+

Answer 11

-research evidence showing physiological treatments can be effective
-several reviews of studies
-NRT, a review of 136 studies concluded tat all forms of NRT increase rate of people successfully stopping smoking by 50-60% (Hartmann-Boyce et al. 2018)
-disulfiram, review of 22 studies showed that it was an effective treatment for alcohol treatment for alcohol addiction (Skinner et al. 2014)
-exercise, review of 12 studies found that wide range of physical activity = increase people’s ability to cope with stress (Sharon-David and Tenenbaum 2017)
-effective in reducing stress/addiction

Question 12

side effects
(evaluation)
-

Answer 12

-can have harmful side effects
-example, NRT = headaches, stomach disorders and insomnia – potential side effects of OTC remedies
-disulfiram = numbness in hands and feet and decreased mood
-exercise = potential injury and dependence on endorphins
-benefits need to be weighed up against the risk of side effects