Chapter 15 Objectives

Psychotherapy

A therapeutic treatment aimed at alleviating emotional distress and improving mental health through various techniques, including talk therapy, cognitive-behavioral approaches, and interpersonal methods.

Psychodynamic Therapy

A form of psychotherapy that focuses on unconscious processes and childhood experiences to understand and address current psychological issues.

Humanistic Therapy

A therapeutic approach emphasizing personal growth, self-actualization, and the importance of the therapeutic relationship, focusing on a person’s capacity for self-direction.

Behavior Therapy

A type of psychotherapy that focuses on modifying harmful behaviors through conditioning techniques and reinforcement strategies.

Cognitive Therapy

A form of psychotherapy that emphasizes the role of thinking patterns and beliefs in influencing emotions and behaviors, aiming to change negative thought patterns.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy

A therapeutic approach combining cognitive and behavioral principles, focusing on identifying and altering negative thought patterns and behaviors to improve emotional well-being.

Group Therapy

A form of psychotherapy where a therapist works with multiple clients simultaneously, facilitating discussions and interactions to promote healing through shared experiences.

Family Therapy

A type of psychotherapy that involves treating a group of related individuals, often focusing on improving communication and resolving conflicts within family dynamics.

Biological therapy

A treatment approach using medications or medical interventions to address psychological disorders by targeting biological factors such as neurotransmitters.

Psychotropic medications

Medications prescribed to affect mood, perception, or behavior by altering brain chemistry, commonly used in the treatment of mental health disorders.

ECT

A treatment for severe depression that involves applying electrical currents to the brain to induce seizures, often used when other treatments have failed.

TMS

A non-invasive procedure that uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain, often used to treat depression.

Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)

A neurosurgical procedure that involves implanting a device to deliver electrical impulses to specific brain areas, used to treat various neurological and psychiatric conditions.

Exposure therapy

A psychological treatment that involves exposing patients to the sources of their anxiety in a controlled environment to help them confront and overcome their fears.

Systematic Desensitization

A behavioral therapy that gradually exposes individuals to anxiety-provoking stimuli while teaching relaxation techniques, aimed at reducing fear responses.

Cognitive Restructuring

A therapeutic process that aims to change negative thought patterns into positive ones, helping patients manage their thoughts and emotions.

Exposure-Response Prevention

A type of cognitive-behavioral therapy that helps individuals confront their fears by exposing them to anxiety-inducing situations while preventing their usual response, thus reducing anxiety over time.

What disorders are best treated with Exposure-Response Prevention Therapy

Primarily anxiety disorders, especially obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and specific phobias, as it helps individuals confront and reduce their fear responses.

What disorders are best treated with Systematic Desensitization Therapy

This therapy is effective for various anxiety disorders, particularly phobias and social anxiety, as it gradually exposes individuals to feared stimuli to reduce their anxiety.

What disorders are best treated by Cognitive Restructuring?

Primarily beneficial for mood disorders, including depression and anxiety disorders. It helps individuals identify and change negative thought patterns to improve emotional well-being.

How are SSRIs effective in treating depression

These are effective in treating depression by increasing the levels of serotonin in the brain, which helps improve mood and relieve depressive symptoms.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy are effective in treating depression

by combining cognitive restructuring with behavioral techniques to change negative thought patterns and behaviors.

What is the most effective treatment for Bipolar disorders

This treatment typically involves a combination of mood stabilizers, such as lithium, and psychotherapy, which helps individuals manage their symptoms and maintain stability.

Why are atypical antipsychotics and behavior therapy somewhat effective in treating Schizophrenia

by addressing both the symptoms of the disorder, such as delusions and hallucinations, and providing coping strategies to enhance functioning and reduce social withdrawal.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

is a type of cognitive-behavioral treatment developed to help people with emotional regulation and interpersonal effectiveness.

Borderline Personality Disorder

is a mental health disorder characterized by unstable moods, behavior, and relationships. Individuals often experience intense episodes of anger, depression, and anxiety, which can last a few hours to a few days.

Why is DBT effective in treating BPD?

because it combines cognitive-behavioral techniques with mindfulness practices, helping individuals develop skills to manage emotional distress and improve interpersonal relationships.

Applied Behavioral Analysis

is a therapeutic approach that uses principles of behaviorism to modify behaviors in individuals, often used in treating autism spectrum disorders.

Why is applied behavioral analysis used to treat autism?

Because it focuses on reinforcing desired behaviors and reducing undesired ones, facilitating skill development in individuals with autism.

Why are Ritalin, Adderall, and Behavior therapy used to treat ADHD in children?

They are used to improve attention, focus, and impulse control while promoting positive behavioral changes and coping strategies.

What is Ritalin and Adderall?

Both are stimulant medications commonly prescribed to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) by enhancing neurotransmitter activity in the brain, leading to improved concentration and reduced impulsivity.

What is the difference between Exposure Therapy and Exposure-Response Prevention?

Exposure Therapy involves gradual exposure to feared stimuli to reduce anxiety, while Exposure-Response Prevention specifically focuses on preventing the accompanying compulsive behaviors.