Psychology- Treatments

CBT

1. Functional analysis: Find the high-risk situations, work out the distorted thoughts, client has homework- thought diary.

2. Cognitive restructuring: Therapist confronts & challenges distorted cognitions.

3. Behaviour change: New thinking skills used to change behaviour, therapist would help with practice.

SIT

1. Cognitive preparation: What are the stressors?

2. Skill acquisition: Learns skills to cope with stress.

3. Application & Follow through: Transfers skills to the real world.

Counselling

1. Therapeutic relationship: The client must trust the counsellor and feels safe discussing sensitive topics. Must be in alliance.

2. Emotional support: There must be a focused goal. The client should find their own solutions. The client should be able to talk honestly about their deepest fears without being criticised.

3. Relapse prevention plan: They work out a plan for relapse so the client gets back to recovery.

Guided self-help

1. Practical steps- Materials: From a structured programme, with information & advice about CBT techniques & activities for them to practice.

2. Practical steps- Guided sessions: Reviewing homework tasks, discussing how to apply CBT techniques to the real world & setting new goals for the week ahead.

Social support

1. Instrumental support: Practical help- physically doing something or giving information.

2. Emotional support: Expressing warmth, concern, affection, empathy or love for someone. Offered to comfort the recipient, help them feel better & lift their mood.

3. Esteem support: Helps them to have faith in themselves & their abilities as we express our confidence in them.

Biofeedback

Trained to take control of automatic processes caused by stressors by using technology to let us see & hear our physiological functioning.

1. Awareness & physiological feedback: Client connected to a machine that converts physiological activity into signals that can be seen/heard. Therapist explains what is happening at each stage making feedback meaningful.

2. Relaxation training & control: Client learns to take control of physiological responses. Can be game based or deep relaxation training. Positively reinforces client.

3. Transfer: Applies skills to the real world- portable feedback machine.

Skills training

1. Assertiveness training: Helps client cope with conflicts in a controlled way. Reduces risk that they will turn to addictive behaviours to relieve stress.

2. Anger management: Helps client express emotions more constructively.

3. Social Skills training: Improves verbal & non-verbal communication skills to help cope with anxiety e.g. tone of voice & eye contact.

4. Techniques: Group discussion: Share experiences, discuss what works. Modelling & role play: Therapist models skills & client imitates them. Homework: Practice skills in the real world. Visualisation: Imagine situations where they have to be assertive.

Mindfulness

Aims to promote mental & physical health as it is used to treat stress & addiction positively.

1. Regulating thoughts: Monitor your present thoughts & feelings so you can step back from them, observe & accept them. This is so negative thoughts & feelings do not take over & control you.

2. Being in the present: Moment-to-moment awareness of bodily sensations, sights, smells & sounds.

3. Promoting healthy behaviours: Mindfulness is developed through training & practicing certain techniques. Stress is reduced by applying techniques to the real world.

NRT

1. Provides a controlled dose of nicotine delivered using skin patches, chewing gum etc. instead of tobacco- harmful chemicals are absent.

2. Using a combination of methods can be most effective.

3. Mechanism:

4. Withdrawal: Nicotine dose can be reduced gradually over time which manages withdrawal symptoms (less likely to relapse).

Drug treatments for alcohol addiction

1. Disulfiram: Makes the client sensitive to alcohol. Whenever they drink they quickly experience a severe hangover. They associate drinking with unpleasant sensations, so do not drink to avoid them.

2. Acamprosate: Helps the client avoid relapse- stabilises the level of GABA (neurotransmitter) in the brain to reduce cravings.

Over-the-counter stress remedies

1. Includes valerian tablets, chamomile tea & lavender oil.

2. All derived from plants & contain chemicals with calming effects, reducing anxiety and promoting relaxation & sleep.

3. Presented as natural as they are derived from plants but they alter physiological & psychological functioning like prescription drugs.

Exercise

Releases endorphins: painkilling effects & increases dopamine production. Provides a short-term feeling of euphoria. It improves mood, induces relaxation, promotes an optimistic outlook, improves self-image and increases resilience.