What Therapies Are Used to Treat Psychological Problems?

Pastorino/Doyle-PortilloEssentials of What Is Psychology? 1st edition

© 2010 Cengage Learning

Drug Therapies

Medications used to treat mental health problems .

Not a cure, but can reduce symptoms.

Stabilizes symptoms so psychological issues can be addressed.



Antianxiety Drugs

Sedatives used to reduce tension and anxiety

Benzodiazepines (i.e. Valium, Xanax) Influence GABA, serotonin, norepinephrine Side effects: highly addictive (physical

dependence), reduces cognitive and motor functioning, high relapse rates

New medication, buspirone (BuSpar) doesn’t have these negative side effects but takes longer to reduce symptoms



Antipsychotic Drugs

Major tranquilizers, reduce psychotic symptoms

Thorazine, Haldol Reduces action of dopamine Disadvantages: not universally effective;

more effective on positive symptoms; side effects (numerous physical and motor effects, tardive dyskinesia)

Influence serotonin and dopamine; affect both positive and negative symptoms



Antidepressants Alter mood and alleviate symptoms of major

depression Tricyclics: affect norepinephrine, serotonin; 60-85%

effectiveness MAO Inhibitors: increase monoamine in brain; more

serious side effects Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs): most

frequently prescribed, leaves serotonin in synapse longer; less severe side effects; useful in treatment of other disorders

Associated with increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children and adolescents



Antimanics: Mood Stabilizers

Alleviate manic symptoms of bipolar disorder

Lithium: affects glutamate, serotonin, dopamine

Controversy regarding effectiveness Anticonvulsant drugs and calcium channel

blockers as alternate treatment Compliance is an issue; miss feelings of

mania



Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)

Series of treatments; anesthesia and muscle relaxant given; volts passed through brain inducing seizure; quick, painless

Treatment of last resort for depressed patients

Effective for 50-80% of patients May affect release of neurotransmitters or

alter function of brain structures Side effects: cognitive impairments, high

relapse rate



Psychosurgery

Done in collaboration with neurosurgeons and psychiatrists.

During the operation, which is carried out under a general anesthetic and using stereotactic methods, a small piece of brain is destroyed or removed

About 1/3 patients show significant improvement after treatment.



Risks include seizures, incontinence, decreased drive and initiative, weight gain and cognitive or affective problems.

Currently, interest in the neurosurgical treatment of mental illness is shifting from ablative psychosurgery (where the aim is to destroy brain tissue) to deep brain stimulation DBS) where the aim is to stimulate areas of the brain with implanted electrodes.

What Therapies Are Used to Treat Psychological Problems?

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