Therapy and Treatment in Psychology

These flashcards summarize key terms and concepts related to therapy and treatment in psychology, aiding in better preparation for exams.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

A mental health condition triggered by experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. It affects veterans significantly.

Ocean Therapy Program

A program combining surfing with group discussions to aid recovery for veterans in mental health treatment.

Mental Illness Prevalence

Approximately 19% of U.S. adults and 13% of adolescents experience mental illness in a given year.

Behavior-Related Disorders

Mental disorders more likely to receive treatment, particularly among adolescents.

Exorcism

A historical treatment involving prayers and incantations to expel supernatural forces from individuals.

Trephining

A barbaric procedure in ancient history where a hole was drilled in the skull to release spirits.

Asylums

Institutions created to house those with psychological disorders, often focused on ostracizing rather than treatment.

Philippe Pinel

A French physician who advocated for humane treatment of the mentally ill, implementing unchaining methods.

Dorothea Dix

A social reformer who fought for better mental health care and established the first American mental asylums.

Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)

A treatment method involving electric stimulation to induce seizures for alleviating severe depression.

Deinstitutionalization

The process of closing large asylums and transitioning care to community settings.

Involuntary Treatment

Therapy that is mandated rather than chosen by the individual, often required by legal conditions.

Voluntary Treatment

Therapy that individuals choose to attend to alleviate their symptoms.

Psychodynamic Psychotherapy

A form of talk therapy focusing on how unconscious forces and childhood conflicts influence behavior.

Cognitive Therapy

A therapy emphasizing that thoughts influence emotions, aiming to reshape negative thought patterns.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

A therapeutic approach that combines cognitive therapy with behavior therapy to change dysfunctional thinking and behavior.

Humanistic Therapy

A therapeutic approach that emphasizes personal growth and self-actualization, focusing on conscious thoughts.

Psychotropic Medications

Medications used to treat psychological disorders, addressing symptoms but not curing the underlying disorders.

Antipsychotics

Medications that treat positive symptoms of psychosis like hallucinations and delusions by affecting dopamine levels.

Atypical Antipsychotics

Drugs that treat negative symptoms of schizophrenia by targeting both dopamine and serotonin receptors.

Behavior Therapy

A therapeutic approach applying learning principles to alter undesirable behaviors.

Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy

A treatment method using simulated environments to help patients confront fears in a controlled setting.

Token Economy

A behavioral therapy technique wherein individuals earn tokens for desired behaviors, which can be exchanged for rewards.

Cognitive Distortions

Thinking errors that contribute to emotional distress, such as overgeneralizing and polarized thinking.

Active Listening

A technique in therapy where the therapist fully concentrates, understands, responds, and remembers what the client says.

Family Therapy

A type of therapy aimed at improving interpersonal relations and understanding within family dynamics.

Cultural Competence

The ability of mental health professionals to understand, respect, and effectively address cultural differences.

Comorbid Disorders

The occurrence of two or more mental disorders in an individual, common in those with substance abuse issues.

Access and Availability Barriers

Challenges such as lack of insurance and transportation that prevent individuals from receiving mental health care.

Holistic Treatment

An approach addressing multiple aspects of a person's needs, not just their addiction, often involving comprehensive care.

Relapse

The return to substance abuse after a period of improvement or sobriety.