Chapter 18

TREATING PSYCHOLOGICAL DISORDERS

Types of Treatments:

1. Insight Therapies: Long conversations enhancing self-knowledge.

2. Behavior Therapies: Altering maladaptive behaviors through direct action.

3. Biomedical Therapies: Involve biological interventions, primarily drug therapy.

INSIGHT THERAPIES:

• Psychodynamic Therapies: Focus on unconscious conflicts. Techniques include free association and dream analysis. Key concepts: resistance, transference, countertransference. Limitations include ineffectiveness for severe issues and high costs.

HUMANISTIC & PERSON-CENTERED THERAPY:

• Assumes self-solution is possible. Focus on creating a supportive environment through genuineness, unconditional positive regard, and accurate empathy.

BEHAVIOR THERAPIES:

• Change maladaptive behaviors without self-insight. Based on the principle that behavior can be learned and unlearned. Systematic Desensitization targets phobias.

COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY (CBT):

• Combines cognitive and behavioral approaches to change interpretations of experiences and target behaviors. Key figures: Aaron Beck, Albert Ellis.

BIOMEDICAL THERAPIES:

• Involves physiological interventions. Types of drug therapies include antipsychotics, antianxiety, antidepressants, mood stabilizers, and stimulants. Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) is used for major depression but is controversial due to relapse rates.

OTHER TYPES OF PSYCHOTHERAPY:

• Family Systems Therapy: Addresses family relationship issues.

• Group Therapy: Mutual support among multiple clients.

• Couples and Family Therapy: Enhances communication in intimate/family relationships.

PREVENTION STRATEGIES:

• Primary: Prevent disorders, Secondary: For at-risk individuals, Tertiary: Prevent relapse for diagnosed.

EVALUATING TREATMENT:

• Outcome research assesses treatment efficacy, influenced by client characteristics, severity, history, and natural improvement effects.