Chapter Eight: Treatments for Depressive and Bipolar Disorders

new wave cognitive behavioral therapy

use mindfulness training and other cognitive-behavioral techniques to help depressed clients recognize and accept their negative cognitions as streams of thinking and not as guides for behavior

interpersonal loss

the loss of a loved one

interpersonal role dispute

two people have different expectations of their relationship and the role each should play

interpersonal role transition

feeling overwhelmed  by the role changes brought about by major life changes

Couple Therapy

the approach in which a therapist works with two people who share a long-term relationship

integrative behavioral couples therapy

combine cognitive-behavioral and sociocultural techniques to teach couples specific communication and problem-solving skills, guide them to recognize their problematic interactions, and steer them to become more acceptive and supportive of each other

MAO Inhibitors

drugs that slow the bodys production of the enzyme MAO

SSRIS

increase serotonin activity specifically, without affecting norepinephrine or other neurotransmitters

selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors

increase norepinephrine activity only

serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors

increase both serotonin and norepinephrine activity

Brain Stimulation

interventions that directly or indirectly stimulate certain areas of the brain

Electroconvulsive Therapy

a treatment for depression in which electrodes attached to a patients head send an electrical current through the brain, causing a convulsion

bilateral ECT

one electrode is applied to each side of the forehead, and a current passes through both sides of the brain

unilateral ECT

the electrodes are placed so that the current passes through only one side

Vagus Nerve Stimulation

a treatment for depression in which an implanted pulse generator sends regular electrical signals to a persons vagus nerve, which then stimulates the brain

vagus nerve

the longest nerve in the human body

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

a treatment in which an electromagnetic coil, which is placed on or above a patients head, sends a current into the individuals brain

Deep Brain Stimulation

a treatment for depression in which a pacemaker powers electrodes that have been implanted in subgenual cingulate, thus stimulating that brain area

lithium

a metallic element that occurs in nature as a mineral salt and is an effective treatment for bipolar disorders

mood stabilizing / antibipolar drugs

psychotropic drugs that help stabilize the moods of people suffering from bipolar disorder

second messengers

chemical changes within a neuron just after the neuron receives a neurotransmitter message and just before it responds