HLTHPSYC 122 Psychopathology therapies

hlthpsyc 122 revision

Psychopathology: Introduction to Psychological & Biological THERAPIES

Autonomic thought = things that people say spontaneously to themselves that can lead to irrational thoughts and feelings in cognitive approach of disorders

  • interpretation of a situation infoinced

  • behaviour then shaped by physiological reaction

  • consequences

Psychological therapy

cognitive - CBT, BT, third wave

Insight - psychodynamic and humanistic

Systematic - family systems, couple

CBT

Helps people understand how thoughts, feelings, behaviour are connected = teach ways to change

  • Therapist and client work together

  • Guided discovery - through questions

  • Focus on specific issues (problem orientated)

  • Structured, goal led

  • Learn by doing through techniques

  • Short term

Techniques

  • Graded exposure - increase exposure

  • Behavioural activating - participate in positive activities

  • Restructuring - reframe unhelpful thought

  • Behavioural experiments

  • Exposure and response therapy

Third wave = accept instead of changing thinking

Mindfulness to notice emotions without judgement

Insight

Psychodynamic - unconscious mind

understanding underlying causes e.g. childhood experiences

  • We are shaped by childhood experiences and relationships

  • understanding NOT skill building

  • long OR brief depending on goals

Techniques

  • Therapeutic relationships - main tool understand how gain and maintain relationships

  • Transference/countertransference - unconsciously project feelings onto therapist, therapist see emotions of patient to understand patterns

  • Defence mechanism - unconscious strategy to avoid pain + conflict = identifying so know how to change

  • Interpretation - therapist help patient find hidden meaning to thought and behaviour

  • Overall further awareness of unconscious processes

Humanistic therapies

Counselling psycho therapy - personal growth, self understanding, actualisation

  • experiential - own experiences and self awareness linked to personal growth

  • Hierarchy of needs - physiological, social (safety, security), love, self-worth, full potential

Techniques

  • Active listening = therapist to patient

  • Empathy = understanding and connecting with client

  • Self help = client explore own feelings and find own solutions

Systemic therapy

Relationships and communications within systems

  • how people interact rather than individuals

  • Find unhelpful patterns of communication and emotions in relationships

  • Combine other therapy ideas but focus on improving communication and relationship

Techniques

  • Reset imbalances - restore fairness, healthy dynamics

  • Create shared goals - what everyone in relationships want to achieve

  • Establish boundaries - clarify roles

  • Shift interaction patterns - change ineffective ways of communication

  • Build validation - empathy and understanding

Biological therapies

Physical treatment targeting brain chemicals to relieve psychological disorders

Main types

Anti depressants - first for anxiety other mood disorders

Anti psychotics - more severe disorders

Brain stimulation - electric or magnetic brain stimulation improve activity

Psychosurgery - last resort if all else fails

Side effects vs therapeutic effects