Treatment of Psychological Disorders

Psychoanalysis (Sigmund Freud) A form of Insight Therapy Utilizes Free Association to access Unconscious.  Talk freely (whatever comes to mind) Focuses on unresolved conflicts stemming from childhood relationship with parents. Transference Directing emotions towards the therapist that were meant to be directed towards the intended source of their conflict or problems Resistance When a patient unconsciously tries to avoid talking about a topic & becomes defensive. Therapist: “Tell me about your relationship with your dad.” Patient: “I already did!” Therapist: “No, you have not yet discussed that.” Patient: “I though I did, my brother is in the army.” Therapist: “I am sorry, but talk to me about your dad” Patient: “YOU WERE NEVER THERE FOR ME- WHY DID YOU LEAVE ME” Therapist: “I never left you, I am right here:” Patient: “I can NEVER trust you” Therapist: “Your mom is not here, I am”

Psychodynamic Therapy Utilizes many psychoanalytic concepts. focuses on current issues and problems, and requires fewer therapy sessions than Psychoanalysis People are more interested in discussing and developing resolution with current problems- not spending time discussing childhood events.

Client-Centered Therapy (Carl Rogers) A form of Insight Therapy No formal diagnosis or label is given to problems. Goal is for clients to solve their own problems. Therapist provides: 1) Unconditional Positive Regard 2) Empathy 3) Active Listening-Restating 4) Genuineness It is like having a conversation with your friend where you ask quite a few questions and answer them all yourself. (Should I break up with them?…..You’re right… I should….I’m going to do it.!

Systematic Desensitization (Joe Wolpe) A form of Counterconditioning Useful for Anxiety-Provoking Stimuli (Anxiety Hierarchy) Involves visualizing or confronting the source of anxiety, and learning to replace the fear response with a pleasant response. Includes Exposure Therapy & Virtual Reality Therapy Having Little Albert eat his favorite food when presented with a rabbit or having him watch other kids happily play with a rabbit.

Aversive Conditioning A type of Counterconditioning Helps reduce unpleasant behaviors (Bed Wetting, Smoking) You pair an unpleasant state w/ an unwanted behavior UCS (foul odor) UCR (nausea) CR CS (cigarette smoke) Bell & Pad Treatment Body arousal (UCS) should automatically cause child to get out of bed (UCR). If they don’t, a bell can be hooked up to their sheets and anytime pee hits the sheet the bell goes off- taking the place of their body waking him or her up. Person with an alcohol problem takes a drug (UCS) that when combined with alcohol automatically causes nausea (UCR)

Behavior Modification Operant Conditioning (Reinforcement & Punishment Criticism: Taking away free-will Often done w/ a Token Economy (rehab Centers) Extinction (non-reinforcement) of a response can also reduce unwanted behaviors

Cognitive Therapy (Aaron Beck) A form of Insight Therapy Based on belief that a patient’s negative thoughts are responsible for psychological problems. (We think therefore we feel) Especially applicable for Depression. Goal: Change ones’ irrational thoughts & create more positive self-talk.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (Albert Ellis) Often used for Anxiety issues. Changing your thought patterns is important, but sometimes not enough to get rid of irrational anxiety. You need to ALSO practice positive behaviors that challenge your flawed way of thinking. Patient: “No girls find me interesting and want to go out with me” Ellis: “Next time you are out I want you to initiate a conversation with a girl.” Patient: “What if the girl does not take an interest in me” Ellis: “You will not know until you try!” Next session: Ellis: “How did it go?” Patient: “I went up to a girl, but she said she did not want to talk?” Ellis: “Maybe she had a boyfriend?” Patient: “I did not think about that.”

Psychopharmacology Operate according to the Medical Model Antipsychotics: Block activities of dopamine (prevent hallucinations & delusions) Can cause disruption of motor functioning Antianxiety: Boosts levels of GABA (Slows down Brain) Antidepressants: SSRIs slow reuptake of Serotonin Mood Stabilizers: Used treat Bipolar Disorder tardive dyskinesia Thorazine Clozapine Valium Xanax Prozac Lithium Depakote

Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) Brief electrical current sent through entire brain Used to treat Depression Effect is temporary, causes memory loss & seizures Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) Only penetrates to the Brain’s surface No Side Effects