Ch18 U5 Treatment of Psych Disorders (Barron's AP Psych 2025)

Patients

Individuals receiving medical or psychological treatment, often in a clinical setting.

Clients

Individuals receiving therapy, often used to emphasize collaboration in counseling.

Psychodynamic therapy

A therapy that focuses on unconscious conflicts and past experiences.

Hypnosis

A trance-like state where a person is highly focused and open to suggestions.

Free associate

A technique in psychodynamic therapy where a person says whatever comes to mind without filtering.

Dream interpretation

Analyzing dreams to uncover unconscious thoughts and desires.

Person-centered therapy

A humanistic therapy that focuses on personal growth and self-acceptance.

Unconditional positive regard

Accepting and supporting a client without judgment.

Active listening

Fully focusing on and understanding what a client is saying, often by reflecting their words back.

Applied behavior analysis (ABA)

A therapy using reinforcement to teach or change behaviors, often used for autism.

Counterconditioning

Replacing an unwanted response to a stimulus with a more desirable one.

Systematic desensitization

A technique where a person gradually faces their fears while practicing relaxation.

Anxiety or fear hierarchy

A ranked list of situations that cause anxiety, used in exposure therapy.

Exposure therapies

Treatments that help people face their fears in a controlled way to reduce anxiety.

Aversive therapy

A treatment that pairs an unwanted behavior with something unpleasant to reduce it.

Token economy

A system where people earn tokens for positive behaviors that can be exchanged for rewards.

Cognitive restructuring

Changing negative or irrational thoughts into more balanced, realistic ones.

Maladaptive thinking

Thought patterns that contribute to emotional or behavioral problems.

Cognitive triad

A model that describes negative thoughts about oneself, the world, and the future, often seen in depression.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

A therapy that combines changing negative thoughts with behavior changes.

Rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT)

A therapy that focuses on identifying and changing irrational beliefs.

Psychoactive medications

Drugs that affect the brain and behavior.

Psychotropic medications

Another term for psychoactive drugs used to treat mental disorders.

Antipsychotic medications

Drugs used to treat schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders.

Tardive dyskinesia

A movement disorder caused by long-term use of antipsychotic drugs.

Antidepressants

Medications used to treat depression and anxiety disorders.

Lithium

A mood stabilizer used to treat bipolar disorder.

Antianxiety drugs

Medications that reduce anxiety symptoms.

Biofeedback

A technique that helps people learn to control bodily functions like heart rate or muscle tension.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)

A treatment using magnetic pulses to stimulate brain areas linked to depression.

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)

A treatment for severe depression that involves sending electrical currents through the brain.

Psychosurgery

Surgical procedures that alter brain function to treat mental disorders.

Prefrontal lobotomy

A historical psychosurgery procedure that damaged brain tissue to change behavior but caused severe side effects.

Respecting people's rights and dignity

Recognizing and honoring individuals' autonomy, privacy, and cultural backgrounds.

Fidelity

Being loyal, honest, and maintaining trust in professional relationships.

Cultural humility

Being aware of one's own biases and continuously learning about other cultures.

Nonmaleficence

The ethical principle of not causing harm to others.

Therapeutic alliance

The trusting relationship between a therapist and a client, which helps treatment be effective.

Evidence-based interventions

Therapies and treatments that are backed by scientific research.