Treatment of Psychological Disorders

Question 1

Psychotropic Medication

Answer 1

alter the biochemistry of the brain.

Question 2

ADHD Medications

Answer 2

Ritalin, Concerta, Adderal (stimulants/dopamine)

Straterra (norepinephrine)

Question 3

SSRI’s

Answer 3

Prozac, Zoloft

Question 4

Lithium

Answer 4

Bi-polar disorder; newer class of mood stabilizers (Valproate)

Question 5

Anti-anxiety drugs

Answer 5

Valium, Xanax (addictive potential)

Question 6

Psychosurgery

Answer 6

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)

Question 7

Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)

Answer 7

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.

Question 8

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

Answer 8

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.

Question 9

Phototherapy

Answer 9

exposure to bright lights, often used to treat SAD (seasonal affective disorder)

Question 10

Psychoanalysis

Answer 10

based on Freudian principles believing in the impact of early childhood

Question 11

free association

Answer 11

saying whatever comes to mind; belief that true impulses will reveal themselves

Question 12

Transference

Answer 12

develop relationship with therapist based on other people in one’s life

Question 13

Psychodynamic Therapies

Answer 13

looks at unconscious conflicts, defense mechanisms and symptom resolution in a broader manner than Freud. Still a form of “talk therapy”

Question 14

Humanistic or Client Centered Therapies

Answer 14

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

Question 15

Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies

Answer 15

Systematic Desensitization, Virtual Reality Therapy, Aversion Therapy

Question 16

Systematic Desensitization

Answer 16

step by step process of eliminating a fear. Uses counterconditioning: pair relaxation techniques with feared situation

Question 17

Virtual Reality Therapy

Answer 17

A form of exposure therapy

Question 18

Aversion Therapy

Answer 18

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

Question 19

Flooding

Answer 19

immersion into the feared situation/ circumstance as an intervention to decrease the phobic/feared response.

Question 20

Cognitive Therapies

Answer 20

help identify beliefs and expectations which maintain problems and conflicts. Challenges distortions in thinking.
Identify faulty thinking and encourage realistic reappraisal with therapist support

Question 21

Cognitive Restructuring

Answer 21

replace negative thinking with more realistic and positive beliefs

Question 22

Cognitive Behavioral Therapies

Answer 22

Includes a variety of behavioral elements including modeling and rehearsal coupled with cognitive restructuring

Question 23

Family/Couples Therapy

Answer 23

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

Question 24

Group Therapy

Answer 24

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

Question 25

Psychotherapy Outcome Research

Answer 25

1. Various therapies see similar success rates though this is challenged statistically (regression to the mean or natural improvement, placebo effect)
2. Different beliefs that some therapies do better for some disorders (anxiety, phobias…)
3. A positive therapeutic relationship to the therapist can be vital