The psychotherapies

Question 1

What are behavioural therapies?

Answer 1

They aim to change behaviour. Such approaches will define behavioural tasks which the patient is expected to carry out between sessions

Question 2

What are cognitive therapies?

Answer 2

The focus on thoughts and assumptions, promulgating the idea that we respond to cognitive representations of events, not to raw events alone. If this is so, cognitive change may be required to produce emotional and behavioural change.

Question 3

What are longer-term psychoanalytical therapies?

Answer 3

They are concerned with the origin and meaning of symptoms. They are based on the view that symptoms arise from earlier experiences and unresolved issues, particularly from childhood.

Question 4

In what disorders would you use behavioural therapy?

Answer 4

It is designed to treat symptoms such as phobias, obsessions, eating and sexual disorders, as well as more general anxiety and mild depression.

Question 5

Which features of OCD respond better to behavioural therapy?

Answer 5

Rituals respond better than ruminations.

Question 6

In what disorder is behavioural therapy alone not appropriate?

Answer 6

Schizophrenia, dementia or severe depression.

Question 7

What are the steps of behavioural therapy?

Answer 7

[1] analyse the behaviour that the patient wants to change [2] like psychological symptoms with specific points in behaviour [3] ask patient to make a hierarchy of these situations [4] conquer these situations, starting with the easiest one first

Question 8

How are OCD rituals treated with behavioural therapy?

Answer 8

They are treated by repeated exposure to the stimulus whilst encouraging avoiding the ritual. Patients may be taught to interrupt obsessional thoughts, eg by doing a particular activity each time they start

Question 9

What are the steps of cognitive therapy?

Answer 9

It tackles negative thoughts. [1] clarify exactly what the thought is [2] look for evidence for and against the proposition in the thought [3] look for other perspective [4] come to a conclusion

Question 10

What disorders are treated with cognitive therapy?

Answer 10

Depressions, neurosis, chronic fatigue syndrome, psychosis

Question 11

What is the rationale behind group psychotherapy?

Answer 11

The group provides an interactive microcosm in which the patient can be confronted by the effect his behaviour has on others, and be protected during his first attempts to change.

Question 12

What are the factors that mean people benefit more from group therapy?

Answer 12

Those who enter it voluntarily; those who have a high expectation form the group; those who have adequate verbal and conceptual skills

Question 13

Which patients are unlikely to benefit from group therapy?

Answer 13

Those with severe depression. acute schizophrenia, or extreme schizoid personality; hypochondriacs; narcissistic or paranoid patients and sociopathic types

Question 14

What are the phases of group therapy?

Answer 14

‘forming’ -> ‘norming’ -> ‘storming’

Question 15

What is the ‘forming’ stage of group therapy?

Answer 15

A settling-in period when members are on their best behaviour, seeking acceptance from therapist and asking for direct counselling

Question 16

During crisis interventions what questions should you ask?

Answer 16

What events have led to the person’s difficulties? What is his mental state at the moment? How has he previously handled stress successfully? Who are the significant people in his life? What stress solutions has the person tried in this crisis?

Question 17

What are some factors that can often cause a crisis?

Answer 17

Loss of face, loss of identity or lass of faith - in oneself, in one’s religion, one’s goals or one’s roots

Question 18

What are the different factors of counselling?

Answer 18

History-taking, production of an agreed list of problems; creating goals from these; using therapeutic contract to negotiate behaviour changes; allow expression of negative feelings; reassurance

Question 19

What are the classifications of psychotherapy?

Answer 19

Type A, B or C

Question 20

What is type A psychotherapy?

Answer 20

Where the therapy is a part of a general package of mental health interventions

Question 21

What is type B psychotherapy?

Answer 21

An eclectic from of therapy tailored to the needs of the patient, often delivered by psychologists

Question 22

What is type C psychotherapy?

Answer 22

Formal model-based therapy

Question 23

What is psychotherapy?

Answer 23

There is a regular time and place in which the patient tells stories from their week, the doctor listens and makes interpretations which offer meaning to the patient