What Therapies Are Used to Treat Psychological Problems?
Pastorino/Doyle-Portillo Essentials of What Is Psychology? 1 st edition © 2010 Cengage Learning Drug Therapies Medications used to treat mental health problems. Not a cure, but can reduce symptoms. Stabilizes symptoms so psychological issues can be addressed.
Pastorino/Doyle-Portillo Essentials of What Is Psychology? 1 st edition © 2010 Cengage Learning Antianxiety Drugs Sedatives used to reduce tension and anxiety Benzodiazepines (i.e. Valium, Xanax) Influence GABA, serotonin, norepinephrine Side effects: highly addictive (physical dependence), reduces cognitive and motor functioning, high relapse rates New medication, buspirone (BuSpar) doesn’t have these negative side effects but takes longer to reduce symptoms
Pastorino/Doyle-Portillo Essentials of What Is Psychology? 1 st edition © 2010 Cengage Learning Antipsychotic Drugs Major tranquilizers, reduce psychotic symptoms Thorazine, Haldol Reduces action of dopamine Disadvantages: not universally effective; more effective on positive symptoms; side effects (numerous physical and motor effects, tardive dyskinesia) Influence serotonin and dopamine; affect both positive and negative symptoms
Pastorino/Doyle-Portillo Essentials of What Is Psychology? 1 st edition © 2010 Cengage Learning Antidepressants Alter mood and alleviate symptoms of major depression Tricyclics: affect norepinephrine, serotonin; 60-85% effectiveness MAO Inhibitors: increase monoamine in brain; more serious side effects Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs): most frequently prescribed, leaves serotonin in synapse longer; less severe side effects; useful in treatment of other disorders Associated with increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children and adolescents
Pastorino/Doyle-Portillo Essentials of What Is Psychology? 1 st edition © 2010 Cengage Learning
Pastorino/Doyle-Portillo Essentials of What Is Psychology? 1 st edition © 2010 Cengage Learning Antimanics: Mood Stabilizers Alleviate manic symptoms of bipolar disorder Lithium : affects glutamate, serotonin, dopamine Controversy regarding effectiveness Anticonvulsant drugs and calcium channel blockers as alternate treatment Compliance is an issue; miss feelings of mania
Pastorino/Doyle-Portillo Essentials of What Is Psychology? 1 st edition © 2010 Cengage Learning Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) Series of treatments; anesthesia and muscle relaxant given; volts passed through brain inducing seizure; quick, painless Treatment of last resort for depressed patients Effective for 50-80% of patients May affect release of neurotransmitters or alter function of brain structures Side effects: cognitive impairments, high relapse rate
Pastorino/Doyle-Portillo Essentials of What Is Psychology? 1 st edition © 2010 Cengage Learning Psychosurgery Done in collaboration with neurosurgeons and psychiatrists. During the operation, which is carried out under a general anesthetic and using stereotactic methods, a small piece of brain is destroyed or removed About 1/3 patients show significant improvement after treatment.
Pastorino/Doyle-Portillo Essentials of What Is Psychology? 1 st edition © 2010 Cengage Learning Risks include seizures, incontinence, decreased drive and initiative, weight gain and cognitive or affective problems. Currently, interest in the neurosurgical treatment of mental illness is shifting from ablative psychosurgery (where the aim is to destroy brain tissue) to deep brain stimulation DBS) where the aim is to stimulate areas of the brain with implanted electrodes.