Treatment of Psychological Disorders Flashcards
Barriers of Treatment
Individuals with treatable psychological disorders very rarely seek treatment
Some of the barriers include…
- Recognizing tha tone has a treatable disorder
- Personal or cultural beliefs, or financial limitations
- Lack of knowledge on where to see treatment from
Psychological Therapy
Psychological therapies involve speaking with therapist to identify problems, provide support for dealing with those problems, and ideally providing relief from them.
What are the different approaches to Psychological Therapy?
Not all therapists use the same approach for treatment
1) Psychodynamic approaches
2) Humanistic/Existential Approaches
3) Cognitive approaches
4) Behavioural Approaches
5) Eclectic Approaches
Approach - Psychodynamic Therapy
Therapists help patients gain insight to their unconscious motivations and desires
Achieved through…
- Recollection of childhood events
- Free association
- Dream analysis
Based on frauds work
Resistance and transference are two things that will sometimes occur during psychoanalysis
Approach - Humanistic and Existential Therapy
Rather than directly trying to resolve problems, humanistic and existential therapy provide patients with support and encouragement for seeking self-fulfilment (Fulfillment of ones hopes and dreams), achieving goals, and nurturing natural tendency for growth
Main concepts…
- Mirroring
- Sincerity and unconditional positive regard
- Appreciation of the clients perspective
Gestalt Therapies
Focuses on helping the client become aware of his or her thoughts, behaviours, experiences, feelings, and taking responsibility for them and gaining control over them
Helps clients find self awareness, so you can take control of your life if you recognize what your situation is
Main concept…
- Reflection and topic focusing
Self-Acceptance and Actualization
Psychological therapy is only going to work if they client accepts that they have the problem
The Role of Insight
Patient insight play a major role in psychodynamic, humanistic/existential approaches, and gestalt
Insight
- A realization on the patients part of what they are doing and why the are doing it
Behaviour Therapy
Is a class of therapies directly applies classical and operant condition to shape patient behaviour
EXAMPLES
Exposure therapy (Exposure thereapy, is meant to expose the patient to the fear or phobia with no negative consequence attached to it.)
Aversion therapy
Token economies
Approach - Cognitive Therapies
Rather than modify behavior or provide insight, cognitive therapies attempt to help patients find different and productive ways of thinking about situations or topics that result in distress.
Ex. Imaging how loved ones would be affected etc.
Approach - Eclectic Approach
Most common approach
It means “do a bit of everything”. It is rare for therapists to employ only one method of therapy
Number one way to test the effectivness of the therapy is how much of the story RESONATES with the client.
Treating Causes Vs Symptoms
Psychological therapies will often treat the symptoms of a disorder rather than its underlying cause.
Drug Treatments
Drug treatments are available as treatment for a variety of psychological disorders. They work by changing the activity of neurotransmitters, affecting the functioning of our brain in a more direct manner at a biological level.
EX
treatment of mood disorders. It works by blocking the reuptake of serotonin, allowing it to more easily bind to receptor sites. Serotonin imbalances are common in individuals suffering from depression.
Drug Treatments for Mood Disorders
Mood disorders resulting in depression have a few major drug treatments:
MONOAMINE OXIDASE INHIBITORS (MAOIs)
Prevents monoamine oxidase enzyme from breaking down norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine
TRICYCLIC ANTIDEPRESSANTS
- Prevent reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
• Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors
(SNRIs)
Drug treatments have been refined over time, increasing their overall effectiveness and reducing the number of side-effects.
Complications with Drug Treatment
Drug therapy does not supply you with “a magic pill”. There are numerous complications and considerations:
• The same treatment may not work for everyone equally well
• It takes awhile for treatment to take effect; sometimes “natural
wellness” is confused for “drug success”
- Side effects can vary in severity
- Both dependencies and tolerances can form; particularly problematic in transient, or environmentally-mediateddisorders
- Patients may discontinue treatment because they “feel all better now”
• Drug treatments may compound symptoms if used improperly
(e.g., antidepressants and bipolar disorder)
