Treatment of Psychological Disorders Flashcards
Psychotropic Medication
alter the biochemistry of the brain.
ADHD Medications
Ritalin, Concerta, Adderal (stimulants/dopamine)
Straterra (norepinephrine)
SSRI’s
Prozac, Zoloft
Lithium
Bi-polar disorder; newer class of mood stabilizers (Valproate)
Anti-anxiety drugs
Valium, Xanax (addictive potential)
Psychosurgery
Deep Brain Stimulation where a thin electrode surgically implanted so electrical currents can be delivered to the brain
Lesion/destroy problematic areas of the brain to eliminate disruptive behaviors (lobotomy; OCD surgery)
Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)
shock therapy; beneficial to those with severe depressions which are not responsive to medication/therapy. Can lead to memory impairment. Unclear on why/how it works but still provides relief for 80% of patients.
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
using a powerful pulsing magnet alters neuronal activity in the brain; less invasive than ECT. Some studies show similar benefits with less negative side effects.
Phototherapy
exposure to bright lights, often used to treat SAD (seasonal affective disorder)
Psychoanalysis
based on Freudian principles believing in the impact of early childhood
free association
saying whatever comes to mind; belief that true impulses will reveal themselves
Transference
develop relationship with therapist based on other people in one’s life
Psychodynamic Therapies
looks at unconscious conflicts, defense mechanisms and symptom resolution in a broader manner than Freud. Still a form of “talk therapy”
Humanistic or Client Centered Therapies
belief that people need to be supported and set the pace of their own therapy. (Rogers)
Basic principles include:
Unconditional positive regard
Help build self esteem and feelings of acceptance with genuineness and empathy
Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies
Systematic Desensitization, Virtual Reality Therapy, Aversion Therapy
Systematic Desensitization
step by step process of eliminating a fear. Uses counterconditioning: pair relaxation techniques with feared situation
Virtual Reality Therapy
A form of exposure therapy
Aversion Therapy
substitutes punishment for the reinforcement of a bad habit. Antabuse for alcoholics; Shock for pedophiles.
Ex) Shock when overweight people try to eat junk food
Flooding
immersion into the feared situation/ circumstance as an intervention to decrease the phobic/feared response.
Cognitive Therapies
help identify beliefs and expectations which maintain problems and conflicts. Challenges distortions in thinking.
Identify faulty thinking and encourage realistic reappraisal with therapist support
Cognitive Restructuring
replace negative thinking with more realistic and positive beliefs
Cognitive Behavioral Therapies
Includes a variety of behavioral elements including modeling and rehearsal coupled with cognitive restructuring
Family/Couples Therapy
focus on the dynamics in the family as a system with different rules, roles and motivations
Treat each person as integral to the bigger system; “identified patient” is symptom bearer in the family
Change one part of the system and the whole system needs to adapt
Group Therapy
people with similar or different problems come together to provide support, strategies ex) Families struggling with parents divorce
Normalization a key component
Can aid in social skills, modeling of adaptive strategies and encourages empathy
Efficient use of resources
