UNIT 5 AP Psych

psychotherapy

psychological treatment to help overcome psychological problems or achieve personal growth, includes all cognitive, behavioral, psychoanalytic, and humanistic therapies, used for: Depression, anxiety, PTSD, OCD, phobias, personality disorders

eclectic approach

uses techniques from multiples therapy forms, customized for each client’s needs, used for: complex cases like comorbid depression + anxiety or PTSD + substance abuse

aims of psychoanlaysis

uncovers unconscious conflicts and repressed feelings, gain insight into problems stemming from childhood, used for: dissociative disorders, personality disorders (Ex: borderline), unresolved trauma

free association

saying whatever comes to mind to explore unconscious, therapist looks for resistance, transference, used for: long-term anxiety, unresolved grief, personality disorders

psychodynamic therapy

modern version of psychoanalysis, focus on relationships, past experiences, self reflection, shorter and more goal oriented than psychoanalysis

focus of humanistic therapies

boost self-fulfillment by helping people grow in self awareness and acceptance, emphasize present and future instead of the past, used for: mild depression, low self-esteem, adjustment disorders

client centered therapy

carl Rogers, therapist uses empathy genuineness and unconditional positive regard, used for: depression, anxiety, and self concept issues

carl rogers

developed client-centered therapy, believed people have self-actualizing tendencies,importance of creating a non-judgmental therapeutic environment

active listening

using client centered therapy; therapist echoes, restates, clarifies client’s thoughts; shows empathy, understanding, and support; encourages clients to express freely, used for: mild depression, self-esteem issues, relationship stress

behavior therapy

uses principles of learning (conditioning) to eliminate maladaptive behavior; focuses on behavior, not unconscious minds; phobias, OCD, autism, addiction, and eating disorders

systematic desensitization

gradual exposure to feared stimulation while using relaxation, forms anxiety hierarchy, used for: phobias, social anxiety

exposure therapy

client exposed to feared object/situation without avoidance, can be gradual or immediate, used for: OCD, PTSD, specific phobias

progressive relaxation

muscle relaxation used to manage anxiety responses, often used with desensitization. used for: panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder

aversive conditioning

pairs negative stimulus with unwanted behavior, ex: nausea inducing drug + alcohol; used for: substance use disorder, nail biting, smoking

token economy

rewards desired behaviors with tokens, reinforces positive behavior, used for: schizophrenia, autism,

behavior modification

reinforces desirable behaviors, ignores or pushes undesirable ones; used for: ADHD, behavioral problems, autism

cognitive therapies

change distorted or irrational thinking patterns, help patients reframe negative thoughts, used for: depression, anxiety, PTSD, eating disorders

cognitive-behavior therapy

combines cognitive + behavioral strategies, identify and change thinking and behavior patterns, used for: depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD, bipolar disorder, ansomnia

drug therapies

use of medications to treat mental disorders, alters brain chemistry

psychopharmacology

study of how drugs affect mind/behavior

antipsychotic drugs

reduce dopamine, treat hallucinations/delusions, used for: schizoprenia, side effect: tardive dyskinesia (stimming)

anti-anxiety drugs

depress central nervous system, used for: GAD, panic disorder, phobia

antidepressent drugs

increase serotonin, norepinephrine

lithium

mood stabilizer for bipolar disorder, reduces mania and stabilizes mood swings

electroconclusive therapy

electric current through brain - controlled seizure, used for: severe depression, suicidal depression, (treatment-resistant)

transcranial magnetic stimulation

magnetic pulses to stimulate prefrontal cortex, non-invasive, fewer side effects than ECT, used for: major depressive disorder

psychosurgery

surgery that removes/destroys brain tissue, rare; last resort for severe disorders

lobotomy

cuts frontal lobe from emotional centers, used historically for schizophrenia/aggression, no longer used due to severe side effects

biopsychosocial (eclectic Therapy)

combines biological psychological and social factors, holistic treatment plan (meds + therapy + social support), used for: most disorders (Depression, anxiety, addiction)

rational emotive therapy (RET)

developed by Albert Ellis, directly challenges irrational beliefs using logic, used for: anxiety, depression, anger, self-defeating thoughts

lesioning

Intentional destruction of brain tissue (like psychosurgery), rare in humans because of severe side effects

tardive dyskinesia

involuntary facial/body movements, side effect of long-term antipsychotic drug use, seen in schizoprenia patients

Cognitive Triad

Beck’s theory of depression, negative thoughts about self, world, future, maintains and worsens depression

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

CBT + mindfulness + emotional regulation, teaches coping skills and distress tolerance, used for: borderline personality disorders, self-harm, mood disorders

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)

behavior therapy using rewards and reinforcements, tracks specific behaviors and outcomes, used for: autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disabilities