Mod 73

Biomedical Therapies

  • Refers to methods of treating psychological disorders using biological interventions.
  • Can involve:
    • Drugs that change brain chemistry
    • Electrical stimulation
    • Magnetic impulses
    • Psychosurgery
    • Lifestyle changes (exercise, nutrition, relationships, recreation, relaxation, spiritual engagement)

Importance of Lifestyle Changes

  • Psychological and biological influences are intertwined; everything psychological is also biological.
  • Lifestyle factors directly impact mental health:
    • Physical activity, nutrition, quality of relationships, and stress relief are vital for well-being.
    • Engagement in nature reduces stress and promotes health benefits.

Psychopharmacology

  • Study of the effects of drugs on mind and behavior.
  • Antipsychotic drugs: Used for schizophrenia and severe thought disorders.

Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes

  • Small group training programs for depression emphasize:
    • Aerobic Exercise:
    • 30 minutes, at least 3 times weekly
    • Increases fitness, vitality, and stimulates endorphin release.
    • Comparable healing effects to antidepressants.
    • Light Exposure:
    • 15-30 minutes daily with a light box
    • Enhances mood by amplifying arousal and reducing negative thought patterns.
    • Social Connections:
    • Engagement in at least two meaningful social activities weekly
    • Satisfies the need to belong and reduce feelings of loneliness.
    • Nutritional Supplements:
    • Daily fish oil for omega-3 fatty acids promotes healthy brain function.
    • Adequate Sleep:
    • 7-8 hours per night enhances energy, alertness, and mood.

Principles of Biomedical Therapies

  • The mind and body are interconnected; a change in one impacts the other.
  • Antianxiety Drugs:
    • Example: Xanax and Ativan; suppress CNS activity to control anxiety.
  • Antidepressant Drugs:
    • Initially designed to treat depression, now used for anxiety disorders, OCD, PTSD.
    • Commonly increase neurotransmitter availability (e.g., norepinephrine, serotonin).
    • SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) are widely used antidepressants.

Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)

  • A treatment for severe depression involving electrical stimulation of the brain.
  • Modern ECT:
    • General anesthetic and muscle relaxants used to make it humane.
    • Pulse of electrical current induces brief seizures without the convulsions of earlier methods.
    • Efficacy: Patients usually don't remember the treatment and may experience relief from symptoms.

Other Biomedical Interventions

  • Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS):
    • Utilizes magnetic pulses to stimulate or suppress brain activity.
  • Psychosurgery:
    • Involves the removal or destruction of brain tissue to alter behavior.
    • Example: Lobotomy aimed to calm violent patients (historically brutal).
  • Considered a last-resort treatment due to its invasive nature and ethical concerns.

Resilience and Post-Traumatic Growth

  • Resilience: Personal strength to cope with stress and recover from adversity.
  • Post-Traumatic Growth: Positive psychological changes resulting from facing and overcoming challenging life crises.