Psychological Treatments

What is Diathesis Stress Model?

• proposes that mental disorders result from a combination of a pre-existing vulnerability (diathesis) and environmental stressors

• It explains that individuals with a genetic or biological predisposition ("nature") are more likely to develop disorders when exposed to high-stress, adverse life events ("nurture")

What are biological causes of disorders?

• genetic mutations, chromosomal abnormalities, brain structure/function anomalies, neurotransmitter imbalances, prenatal damage, infection, and chronic illness.

What are anti psychotics?

• psychiatric medications primarily used to treat psychosis symptoms like hallucinations, delusions, and paranoia

What is Antianxiety medications?

• medications or treatments designed to prevent, reduce, or relieve symptoms of anxiety, such as fear, dread, and tension

What are antidepressants?

• prescription medications designed to treat major depressive disorder, anxiety, PTSD, and chronic pain by balancing brain neurotransmitters like serotonin and norepinephrine

What are Lithium medications?

• a prescription mood-stabilizing medication primarily used to treat and prevent manic episodes in bipolar disorder

What is ECT?

• electroconvulsive therapy, a medical treatment for severe mental health conditions that involves passing a small, controlled electric current through the brain to induce a brief seizure

What is a Lobotomy?

• an outdated, controversial neurosurgical procedure, popular in the 1940s-50s, that involved severing nerve fibers connecting the brain's prefrontal cortex to other areas

What are biological disorders useful for?

• treating chronic, severe, or previously untreatable conditions by targeting specific molecular pathways in the immune system

What is the impact of medical therapies on institutionalization?

• historically serving as a primary driver for deinstitutionalization (reducing long-term hospital stays) while simultaneously creating new, community-based dependencies and, in some cases, shifting care to other institutional settings like jails

What are psychoanalytic causes of disorders?

• unresolved, unconscious conflicts, repressed traumatic memories, and early childhood experiences that shape personality

What is a free association?

• where patients express their thoughts, feelings, and images without censorship, filtering, or self-restraint

What is manifest content?

• the actual, surface-level, and conscious storyline of a dream, text, or image, including the specific people, events, and objects experienced

What is latent content?

• the hidden, underlying, or symbolic meaning of a dream, text, or communication, as opposed to its literal surface level

What is transference?

• occurs when a person unconsciously redirects feelings, desires, and expectations from past significant relationships onto a new person, commonly a therapist

What are psychoanalytic disorders useful for?

• It is effective for anxiety, depression, persistent personality disorders, relationship issues, and psychosomatic complaints

What humanistic causes of disorders?

• a blockage in a person’s natural drive toward growth and self-actualization, resulting from an incongruent self-concept, unfulfilled needs, or inability to live authentically

What is client-centered therapy?

• prioritizing the client's needs, perspectives, and autonomy by placing them at the center of the process, whether in therapy, healthcare, or business

What is empathy/active listening?

• listening to understand, not to respond; It requires fully focusing on the speaker, validating their emotions, and reflecting their feelings back to build trust, reduce conflict, and foster deep connection.

What is unconditional positive regard?

• the act of accepting, valuing, and supporting a person completely without judgment, regardless of their behavior or choices

What are humanistic disorders useful for?

• fostering self-actualization, enhancing self-esteem, treating depression, anxiety, and relationship issues by emphasizing personal growth and self-awareness

What are behavioral causes of disorders?

• complex interactions between biological (genetics, brain chemistry), environmental (trauma, neglect), and social factors (family instability, poverty).

What is countercWonditioning?

• a behavioral therapy technique that replaces an unwanted, conditioned response (such as fear, anxiety, or aggression) to a stimulus with a new, desired response

What is Aversion?

• a strong feeling of dislike, opposition, or antipathy towards something, often accompanied by a desire to avoid it

What is systematic desensitization?

• a behavioral therapy technique used to treat phobias, anxiety, and PTSD by gradually exposing individuals to feared stimuli while using relaxation techniques

What is flooding?

• is a behavioral technique involving direct, prolonged exposure to a feared stimulus to reduce anxiety

What is behavior contracting?

• defines specific behavioral goals, the reinforcement (rewards) for achieving them, and sometimes consequences for non-compliance

What is a token economy?

• behavior modification system that uses positive reinforcement to encourage desired behaviors by awarding tokens which are later exchanged for tangible rewards or privileges.

What is modeling?

• behavior modification system that uses positive reinforcement to encourage desired behaviors by awarding tokens—such as stickers, points, or chips—which are later exchanged for tangible rewards or privileges.

What are behavioral disorders useful for?

• identifying them acts as a crucial signal for help, highlighting that an individual is struggling to manage emotions, impulses, or environmental stressors

What are cognitive causes of disorders?

• involve brain dysfunction affecting memory, perception, and reasoning, ranging from neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s to environmental impacts such as trauma or infections

What is the cognitive triad?

• a psychological model identifying three core negative thought patterns in depression: a negative view of oneself, the world, and the future

What is dialectical behavior therapy?

• a structured, evidence-based psychotherapy designed to help people manage intense emotions, reduce harmful behaviors, and improve relationships by balancing emotional acceptance with positive change

What is Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy?

• teaches that individuals’ beliefs—not external events—cause emotional and behavioral disturbances

What are cognitive disorders useful for?

• their identification is essential for diagnostic, therapeutic, and management purposes

What is Group Therapy?

• a form of psychotherapy where one or more mental health professionals treat a small group of patients (typically 5–15 people) together simultaneously.

What is hypnosis?

• the study or act of inducing a trance-like mental state (hypnosis) characterized by extreme relaxation, focused attention, and heightened suggestibility.

What is ethics in therapy?

• Key ethical practices include informed consent, maintaining firm professional boundaries to avoid dual relationships, and strict confidentiality