Treatment of Psychological Disorders

Sensory sensitivities

Over or under-sensitivity to sensory input like light, sound, and texture.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

A developmental disorder characterized by restricted interests, repetitive behaviors, and divergent social communication.

Clinical psychologist

A professional with a PhD or PsyD who practices psychotherapy and conducts research.

Psychiatrist

A medical doctor (MD or DO) trained to prescribe medications and provide psychotherapy.

Psychoanalyst

A practitioner of classic Freudian psychoanalysis, focusing on psychodynamic therapy.

Behavioral Therapy

A treatment method based on the principles of learning theory, emphasizing conditioning.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

A combination of cognitive therapy and behavioral therapy, often considered the most effective form of therapy.

Psychotropic medications

Drugs that affect mental processes and are used to treat various mental health conditions.

Efficacy vs Effectiveness

Efficacy refers to treatments that work in controlled environments, while effectiveness refers to treatments that work in real-world settings.

Comorbidity

The overlap among different mental disorders and illnesses.

Exposure therapy

A behavioral therapy technique that exposes patients to feared stimuli to reduce anxiety.

Cognitive restructuring

The process of recognizing and reframing maladaptive thoughts or behaviors.

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)

A non-invasive procedure using magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain.

Mood Stabilizers

Medications that help control mood swings, commonly used for bipolar disorder.

Psychosocial Treatments

Therapies that combine medication with social skills training and family therapy to improve outcomes.

Regression to The Mean

A statistical phenomenon where extreme results tend to move closer to the average over time.

Iatrogenic effects

Adverse effects that may arise as a result of medical treatment.

Anti-anxiety drugs

Medications, such as benzodiazepines, used to treat anxiety disorders.

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)

A class of antidepressants that increase serotonin levels in the brain.

Dyskenisia

Involuntary twitching or spasms, usually affecting the neck and face, as a side effect of antipsychotic medications.