PSYC 101 Week 14

Treatment of Psychological Disorders Topics: Psychotherapy Psychodynamic Behavioral Cognitive Humanistic Group Interpersonal Biomedical Therapy Drug Therapy Electroconvulsive Therapy

Psychodynamic Approaches Focus is to bring unconscious elements to consciousness Desires, wants, needs, impulses deemed unacceptable by consciousness so sent to “live” in unconsciousness Also includes unresolved issues from the past

Psychodynamic Approaches continued Based on “defense mechanisms” These defense mechanisms shield and protect one’s consciousness from the unacceptable and/or inappropriate thoughts, feelings, impulses, behaviors Using therapy seeks to uncover and expose hidden and/or deflected thoughts, feelings, impulses, behaviors that have settled into one’s unconsciousness Exposing these elements brings them into consciousness and allows the individual to more efficiently and effectively interact with and resolve these issues

Psychodynamic Approaches continued 2 Psychoanalysis Intense type of psychodynamic therapy Almost forceful in his “extraction” techniques Uses free association a word game asking patients to say whatever comes to mind when given a word or topic Freud drew many conclusions from these “associations” Uses dream interpretation Dreams are clues to what is occurring in unconscious Includes Manifest content: what the issue or element shows up as Latent content: what the issue or element really is (not disguised)

Psychodynamic…continued 3 Freud was often convinced that his patients were experiencing resistance, which was an unwillingness (voluntary or unvoluntary) to discuss certain issues Transference can occur, where the patient transfers his or her feelings and emotions for someone in his or her past onto the therapists

Behavioral Approaches Based on understanding that all behavior is learned Focus on reteaching, therefore relearning, new, appropriate (normal) behaviors to replace old, inappropriate (abnormal) ones

Behavioral Approaches continued Types of behavior therapies Classical conditioning Aversive: unpleasant stimulus is paired with undesired behavior in attempt to reduce and then eliminate the behavior Systematic desensitization: gradual, increasingly difficult exposure (scaffolded) until feared element is able to be experienced Exposure: feared element is brought face-to-face with individual who fears it; can be sudden or gradual

Behavioral…continued 2 Operant conditioning Desired behavior is rewarded; undesired behavior is either punished or ignored Token system Contingency contract Observational learning Dialectical behavior therapy Personal acceptance of self, even though may not (most likely does not and will not) match idealistic view One strong argument against behavioral therapies is that the external issues are worked on while there may be internal causes that are ignored

Cognitive Approaches Based on understanding that behind psychological issues, abnormal behaviors, are inaccurate cognitions (ways of thinking) Cognitive treatment Focuses on changing inaccurate thinking into appropriate, accurate thinking (ex: anorexia) Cognitive-behavioral treatment Same concept of focusing on changing cognitions but also includes some behavioral elements

Cognitive Approaches continued Rational-emotive behavior therapy Rather than focusing on cognitions this therapy focuses also on changing belief system (morals, values) into a more rational and realistic version Cognitive Therapy (Beck) Therapy is designed to guide clients to come to own realizations and understandings about the inaccuracy and/or unrational elements of their current system and then change it based on new understandings

Humanistic Therapy Places treatment options, solutions, and success as individual’s responsibility Not a do-it-on-your-own but rather a self-motivated journey to seek out help Humanistic therapists guide clients to find a personal outcome Person-centered therapy Focused on self-actualization Provides unconditional positive regard (unconditional acceptance and understanding)

Interpersonal Therapy Focuses on an individual’s relationships, particularly those relationships they are currently engaged and involved in Shorter time frame than other therapies 12 to 16 weeks versus others that can last 20+ weeks Effective Shown effective in dealing with: Depression Anxiety Addictions Eating disorders

Group Therapy Types of groups: Group therapy Family therapy Unrelated individuals dealing with similar issues meet in a group setting to receive therapy Group is guided by one therapist Individual may also receive support and/or guidance from other members of the group (though not in same form or structure as from therapist) Family therapy Related members receive therapy in same session together Self-help therapy Similar to group therapy but does not involve guidance, presence, or assistance from a licensed therapist

Does Psychotherapy Work? Personal opinions: Why or why not? Personal experiences: Effective? Participation? Outcome? Remission experiences? ***Remember: therapy is personal and needs to be evaluated on an individual basis***

Drug Therapy Psychological disorders are controlled through use of prescription drugs Functions through altering neurotransmitter or neuron activity Inhibition of (specific) neurotransmitters or receptor neurons Excitation of (specific) neurotransmitters or receptor neurons

Drug Therapy continued Antipsychotic drugs Drugs that reduce severe symptoms in deeply disturbed patients Antidepressant drugs Can be used for severe depression Sometimes used in eating disorder patients Mood stabilizers Works with mood disorders, including bipolar disorder May also be preventive in nature Antianxiety drugs Treats temporary and chronic anxiety issues

Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) Used to treat severe depression Electric pulses are administered to the individual’s head Very controversial Mostly only used when all other options have been exhausted Used when quick treatment is needed immediately Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) also treats depression Magnetic pulses directed to specific areas of brain

Biomedical Therapy, Future Gene therapy Introduction of specific genes to a certain part of the brain in order reverse and/or prevent biochemical events that create psychological disorders There may be new reactions or elements May not solve underlying issues (such as cognitive issues or emotional elements)