Psychological and Biological Treatments Notes

Overview of Treatments

• Psychotherapy: A psychological intervention to resolve emotional, behavioral, and interpersonal issues for improved life quality.

  • Providers include clinical psychologists, psychiatrists, clinical social workers, and sometimes untrained individuals.

Insight Therapies

• Insight Therapies: Aims to expand self-awareness and insight into personal issues.

  • May explore the influence of past experiences on current behavior.

  • Types:

  • Psychoanalytic and Psychodynamic Therapies: Focus on unconscious conflicts influencing behavior.

  • Humanistic Therapies: Emphasize self-growth and potential, addressing burdens and expectations.

  • Group Therapies: Utilize group dynamics for support and processing.

Psychoanalytic and Psychodynamic Therapies

• Core Principles:

  • Rooted in unconscious conflicts leading to maladaptive behaviors.

  • Sigmund Freud’s contributions:

  • Free Association: Uncensored expression of thoughts.

  • Interpretation: Therapist interprets unconscious material.

  • Dream Analysis: Analyzing dreams to uncover latent content.

  • Transference and Resistance: Dynamics between therapist and client revealing hidden issues.

• Criticism:

  • Insight may not be mandatory for symptom relief.

  • Unfalsifiable theories and lack of systematic evaluation.

Humanistic Perspective

• Carl Rogers’ Person-Centred Therapy:

  • Focus on client goals within a supportive environment.

  • Importance of therapist characteristics: authenticity, unconditional positive regard, and empathy.

• Evaluating Humanistic Therapies:

  • Positive therapeutic relationships correlate with positive outcomes, but these therapies may be less effective for severe mental illnesses.

  • Ideas such as self-actualization are hard to empirically test.

Behavioral Therapies

• Focus: Address specific behaviors and current maintaining factors rather than historical traumas.

  • Assessments include observational methods, scales, and interviews.

  • Exposure Therapy: Involves direct confrontation of fears.

  • Systematic Desensitization: Gradual exposure while teaching relaxation techniques.

  • Flooding: Immediate, direct exposure to fear.

Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

• Purpose: Replace maladaptive cognitions and behaviors with healthier patterns.

  • Principles:

  • Psychological issues stem from faulty thinking and learned behaviors.

  • Skills for coping can reduce symptoms.

  • Techniques include:

  • Identifying and altering distorted thoughts.

  • Teaching problem-solving skills.

Biomedical Treatments

• Psychopharmacotherapy: Use of medications for psychological disorders.

  • Affects neurotransmitter levels; does not just correct imbalances; may have side effects.

• Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT): Induces seizures to treat severe psychological issues, with brief side effects.

• Psychosurgery: Invasive and last-resort treatment for psychological disorders.

Common Medications for Psychological Disorders

• Benzodiazepines: Treat anxiety, e.g., Diazepam, Alprazolam.

• Antidepressants: SSRIs like Fluoxetine, Citalopram for mood regulation.

• Mood Stabilizers: Lithium for bipolar disorder.

• Antipsychotics: Chlorpromazine for severe mental disorders.

• Stimulants for Attention: Methylphenidate and Amphetamine for attention issues.

Key Sections for Further Reading

• Who Practices Psychotherapy

• Effectiveness of Psychotherapy

• Evaluating Psychopharmacotherapy