Psychological distress following ABI + evolution of CBT

Nature of psychological distress/psychiatric challenges post-ABI (1)

• Typically presents as broader emotional dysregulation as opposed to a singular psychiatric diagnosis

Prevalence of psychological disorders post-ABI + examples

• Increases

• 38% of TBI sufferers experience depression

• 37% experience anxiety

Framework to understand aetiology of psych distress post-ABI (name)

Biopsychosocial framework

Biopsychosocial framework: 4 factors w brief description

• Biological/neurobio factors: structural damage to fronto-limbic brain networks disrupts emotion regulation circuits → increasing neural vulnerability to irritability + low mood

• Pre-injury vulnerabilities - personal/family history of mental health struggles, substance abuse, low SES

• Precipitating stressors - losing job, driving privileges etc. post-ABI

• Moderating characteristics + social context - personal traits + social support networks

Traditional CBT in a nutshell (1) w examples (3)

• Logically challenging maladaptive schemas/thought processes related

  • E.g. related to loss, sense of vulnerability, sense of failure

Third wave approaches in a nutshell (1)

• Focus on altering relationship to challenging mental content rather than debating the content itself

3 examples of third wave CBTs: names

• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

• Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)

• Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)

ACT description: 2 components (2)

• Accept difficult thoughts + feelings rather than fighting them

• Act in accordance with personal values

Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) description (2)

• Integrate cognitive techniques w mindfulness practices to disrupt ruminative cycles

• → detach from mental events and observe them non-judgementally

Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) description (1)

• Emphasises emotional validation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal skill development