week 11

Question 1

common approaches to treating mental health problems

Answer 1

• medications (e.g. antidepressants, mood stablisters, anti-psychotics)
• psychological therapies (e.g. CBT, interpersonal therapy (IPT), dialectaal behavioural therapy (DPT))
• combination of psychopharmacological and psychological intervention

Question 2

anxiety medication

Answer 2

• antidepressants including SSRI’s, selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRI’s) and TCAs u
• beta-blockers (e.g. propranolol) commonly prescribed for social anxiety
• benzodiazepines - previously commonly prescribed but now typically short term and prescribed after other interventions

Question 3

CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy)

Answer 3

• exist for variety of of disorders: depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD, eating disorders and BPD
• aims to understand and address processes which contribute to maintenance of difficulties
• time-limited, structured therapy
• ## broad evidence base

Question 4

commonly used CBT strategies

Answer 4

• cognitive restructuring - identifying and challenging irrational thoughts
• thought records - identifying and challenging negative automatic thoughts
• behavioural activation - supports individuals to increase participation in activities that will be rewarding
• behavioural experiments

Question 5

Is CBT effective?

Answer 5

• effective for Manny in treatment of variety of disorders
• some met-analysis suggests CBT somewhat more effective than medication along for MDD and anxiety.
• limited evidence to determine who is most likely to benefit from given evidence-based intervention

Question 6

different techniques for therapists

Answer 6

• some use eclectic approaches (much wider range of strategies) which involves choosing strategies based upon clinician judgement rather than a specific theoretical model

Question 7

dialectical behavioural therapy (DBT)

Answer 7

• closely linked with CBT
• benefits individuals with mood intolerance, emotion dysregulation, self-harm, destructive, interpersonal relationships
  incorporates and promotes:
• mindfulness
• distress tolerance
• emotion recognition
• understanding causes and consequences of feelings
• interpersonal effectiveness

Question 8

Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT)

Answer 8

• time limited (12-16 sessions) I
• aims to address symptoms by improving interpersonal functioning
• focus on attachments, grief, role transitions, interpersonal disputes and deficits