1. Abnormal Psychology: Treatment
AP Psychology: Unit XI
Designated Unit:
Unit IV
States of Consciousness

2. Abnormal Psychology: Treatment Basics
Part one

3. Abnormal: Treatment Basics
Mental health therapies are classified into two primary categories
The Psychological Therapies/Psychotherapy
Includes:
Psychoanalysis, psychodynamic therapy & interpersonal therapy
Humanistic therapy
Behavioral therapy
Cognitive therapy
The Biomedical Therapies
Eclectic Approach..?

4. Abnormal Psychology: Psychological Therapies
Part two
Psychological Therapies
Psychoanalysis
Humanistic Therapy
Behavior Therapy
Cognitive Therapy
***For more information, please see corresponding handout …

5. Abnormal Psychology: Biomedical Therapies
Part three

6. Abnormal: Biomedical Therapies
Overall Trends
Biomedical treatments are generally preferred when treating serious disorders (i.e. schizophrenia)
Assumes that abnormal behavior is a symptom of an underlying physical disorder
Examples
Drugs
Psychosurgery
ECT

7. Abnormal: Biomedical (Drugs)
Psychopharmacology
The study of how drugs effect the mind & behavior
Psychopharmatherapy
The treatment of mental disorders with medication; also known as drug therapy
Major reasons for widespread use of drugs?
Drugs are effective in treating disorders, especially serious disorders
Drug therapies are often less expensive than psychotherapy

8. Abnormal: Biomedical (Drugs)
Antipsychotic Drugs (Neuroleptics)
Used to Treat
Schizophrenia or psychosis
Biological Function
Block dopamine receptors in the brain
Side Effects/Issues
Drowsiness, dry mouth, muscular rigidity, tardive dyskinesia
Examples
Thorazine & Haldol (first generation)
Clozapine, Risperdal & Zyprexa (second generation)
Effectiveness
60-70% show improvement in symptoms

9. Abnormal: Biomedical (Drugs)
Antianxiety Drugs (Anxiolytics)
Used to Treat
Anxiety disorders; often referred to as tranquilizers
Biological Function
Depress the central nervous system; thereby, producing a calm & mild euphoria
Side Effects/Issues
Physical dependence & withdrawal symptoms when drug is abruptly discontinued
Examples
Xanax, Valium, Librium, Ativan

10. Abnormal: Biomedical (Drugs)
Antidepressant Drugs (Thymoleptics)
Used to Treat
Mood disorders, anxiety disorders (OCD), plus others…
Biological Function
Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs)
Increase the amount of serotonin & norepinephrine
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)
Block the reuptake of serotonin

11. Abnormal: Biomedical (Drugs)
Antidepressant Drugs (Thymoleptics)
Side Effects
MAOIs
Dry mouth, weight gain, heart complications, dizzy spells
SSRIs
Sleepiness, reduced sex drive

12. Abnormal: Biomedical (Drugs)
Antidepressant Drugs (Thymoleptics)
Examples
MAOIs
Nardil
SSRIs
Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft, Effexor
Effectiveness
60-70% show improvement in symptoms, though it may take several weeks for changes to take effect

13. Abnormal: Biomedical (Drugs)
Antimania Drugs (Mood Stabilizers)
Used to Treat
Bipolar Disorder
Biological Function
Scientific mystery…seriously…
Side Effects/Issues
Difficulties in establishing proper dosage
Difficulties in stopping medication once symptoms ease
Example
Lithium
Effectiveness
70-80% show improvement in symptoms

14. Abnormal: Biomedical (Stimulation)
Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)
Used to Treat
Severe (unresponsive) depression
Biological Function
Scientific mystery…yes, again…
Brief convulsions & temporary loss of consciousness
Side Effects/Issues
Memory loss
Difficulty in learning
Alternatives
Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS)

15. Abnormal: Biomedical (Surgery)
Psychosurgery (Lobotomy) – Egas Moniz
Used to Treat
Not much, if anything…?
Biological Function
Brain surgery performed to change a person’s behavior or emotional state
Severs brain connections
Side Effects/Issues
Duh…
Examples
Prefrontal Lobotomy
Transorbital Lobotomy