Approaches to treatment and therapy

Biological Treatments

Biological treatment [p406] Attempting to reduce or eliminate the symptoms of psychological disorders by altering the way an individual’s body functions. Attempting to reduce or eliminate the symptoms of psychological disorders by altering the way an individual’s body functions. Psychopharmacology: The study of the effects of drugs on mind and behavior Psychopharmacology: The study of the effects of drugs on mind and behavior

Drug therapy (medication) The most common form of biological treatment. The most common form of biological treatment. 4 Main Classes of Drugs 4 Main Classes of Drugs Antipsychotic drugs: Diminish agitated behavior, reduce tension, decrease hallucinations and delusions, and help regulate sleep [p406] Antianxiety drugs (tranquilizers): Reduce anxiety by making individuals less excitable and more calm [p407] Antidepressent drugs: Regulate mood [p407] Lithium carbonate: Used to treat bipolar disorder [p408]

Psychosurgery [p410] Surgery that removes or destroys brain tissue in an effort to change behavior Surgery that removes or destroys brain tissue in an effort to change behavior Lobotomy: A now-rare psychosurgical procedure once used to calm uncontrollably emotional or violent patients Lobotomy: A now-rare psychosurgical procedure once used to calm uncontrollably emotional or violent patients

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) [p411] A biomedical therapy for severely depressed patients in which a brief electric current is sent through the brain of an anesthetized patient A biomedical therapy for severely depressed patients in which a brief electric current is sent through the brain of an anesthetized patient

The Psychological Therapies

Psychotherapy [p412] An emotionally charged, confiding interaction between a trained therapist and someone who suffers from psychological difficulties An emotionally charged, confiding interaction between a trained therapist and someone who suffers from psychological difficulties

Psychodynamic therapies [p412] the unconscious mind the unconscious mind early childhood experiences early childhood experiences therapist interpretation therapist interpretation

Psychoanalysis [p412] Psychoanalysis A method of psychotherapy developed by Freud emphasizing the exploration of unconscious motives and conflicts Free association In psychoanalysis, a method of uncovering unconscious conflicts by saying freely whatever comes to mind Dream analysis The technique used by psychoanalysts to interpret a person’s dreams

Interpretation In psychoanalysis, the analyst’s noting supposed dream meanings, resistances, and other significant behaviors in order to promote insight In psychoanalysis, the analyst’s noting supposed dream meanings, resistances, and other significant behaviors in order to promote insight Transference The patient’s transfer to the analyst of emotions linked with other relationships (such as love or hatred for a parent) [p412] Transference The patient’s transfer to the analyst of emotions linked with other relationships (such as love or hatred for a parent) [p412]

Behavior therapy [p413] Therapy that applies learning principles to the elimination of unwanted behavior Therapy that applies learning principles to the elimination of unwanted behavior

Systematic desensitization [p414] A type of counterconditioning that associates a pleasant relaxed state with gradually increasing anxiety-triggering stimuli A type of counterconditioning that associates a pleasant relaxed state with gradually increasing anxiety-triggering stimuli + +  + + 

Aversive conditioning A type of counterconditioning that associates an unpleasant state (such as nausea) with an unwanted behavior (such as drinking alcohol) A type of counterconditioning that associates an unpleasant state (such as nausea) with an unwanted behavior (such as drinking alcohol) + =  + = 

Cognitive therapy [p415] Therapy that teaches people new, more adaptive ways of thinking and acting by: Therapy that teaches people new, more adaptive ways of thinking and acting by: Examining the evidence for beliefs. Considering other explanations for the behavior of other people. Identifying assumptions and biases.

Humanist therapies [p416] Encourage people to understand themselves and to grow personally Encourage people to understand themselves and to grow personally Client-centered therapy, developed by Carl Rogers, uses techniques such as active listening within a genuine, accepting environment to facilitate clients’ growth Client-centered therapy, developed by Carl Rogers, uses techniques such as active listening within a genuine, accepting environment to facilitate clients’ growth –Unconditional positive regard improves self- esteem. – The therapist’s role must be non-directive.

Therapy Formats Conducted by a licensed therapist: –Individual therapy –Group therapy –Family therapy –Couple therapy Conducted by group members: –Self-help support groups

Eclectic approach An approach to psychotherapy that, depending on the client’s problems, uses techniques from various forms of therapy An approach to psychotherapy that, depending on the client’s problems, uses techniques from various forms of therapy

Successful therapy depends on therapeutic alliance [p419] chapter 12

Guidelines for Seeking Help Identify the professional’s credentials Identify the professional’s credentials When starting therapy, give it some time before judging its usefulness When starting therapy, give it some time before judging its usefulness Be a thoughtful and careful consumer of mental health services. Be a thoughtful and careful consumer of mental health services.