Psych Questions, Module 45

When drug therapies have not been effective, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) may be used as treatment, largely for people with: a. severe obsessive-compulsive disorder. b. severe depression. c. schizophrenia. d. anxiety disorders.

b

Some antipsychotic drugs, used to calm people with schizophrenia, can have unpleasant side effects, most notably: a. hyperactivity. b. convulsions and momentary memory loss. c. sluggishness, tremors, and twitches. d. paranoia.

c

A simple salt that often brings relief to patients suffering the highs and lows of bipolar disorder is ( ).

lithium

How, by taking care of themselves with a healthy lifestyle, might people find some relief from depression? How does this reinforce the idea that we are biopsychosocial systems?

Depressed people who undergo a program of aerobic exercise, adequate sleep, light exposure, social engagement, negative-thought reduction, and better nutrition often gain some relief. In our integrated biopsychosocial system, stress affects our body chemistry and health; chemical imbalances can produce depression; and social support and other lifestyle changes can lead to relief of symptoms.

How do researchers evaluate the effectiveness of particular drug therapies?

Researchers assign people to treatment and no-treatment conditions to see if those who receive the drug therapy improve more than those who don't. Double-blind controlled studies are most effective. If neither the therapist nor the client knows which participants have received the drug treatment, then any difference between the treated and untreated groups will reflect the drug treatment's actual effect.

How are brain stimulation and psychosurgery used in treating specific disorders?

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), in which a brief electric current is sent through the brain of an anesthetized patient, is an effective, last-resort treatment for severely depressed people who have not responded to other therapy. Newer alternative treatments for depression include repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and, in preliminary clinical experiments, deep-brain stimulation that calms an overactive brain region linked with negative emotions. Psychosurgery removes or destroys brain tissue in hopes of modifying behavior. Radical psychosurgical procedures such as lobotomy were once popular, but neurosurgeons now rarely perform brain surgery to change behavior or moods. Brain surgery is a last-resort treatment because its effects are irreversible.

What are some examples of lifestyle changes we can make to enhance our mental health?

Exercise regularly, get enough sleep, get more exposure to light (get outside and/or use a light box), nurture important relationships, redirect negative thinking, and eat a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids.

What is the rationale for preventive mental health programs, and why is it important to develop resilience?

Preventive mental health programs are based on the idea that many psychological disorders could be prevented by changing oppressive, esteem-destroying environments into more benevolent, nurturing environments that foster growth, self-confidence, and resilience. Struggling with challenges can lead to post-traumatic growth. Community psychologists are often active in preventive mental health programs.

What is the difference between preventive mental health and psychological or biomedical therapy?

Psychological and biomedical therapies attempt to relieve people's suffering from psychological disorders. Preventive mental health attempts to prevent suffering by identifying and eliminating the conditions that cause disorders.

What are the drug therapies? How do double-blind studies help researchers evaluate a drug's effectiveness?

Psychopharmacology, the study of drug effects on mind and behavior, has helped make drug therapy the most widely used biomedical therapy. Antipsychotic drugs, used in treating schizophrenia, block dopamine activity. Side effects may include tardive dyskinesia (with involuntary movements of facial muscles, tongue, and limbs) or increased risk of obesity and diabetes. Antianxiety drugs, which depress central nervous system activity, are used to treat anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder. These drugs can be physically and psychologically addictive. Antidepressant drugs, which increase the availability of serotonin and norepinephrine, are used for depression, with modest effectiveness beyond that of placebo drugs. The antidepressants known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (often called SSRI drugs) are now used to treat other disorders, including strokes and anxiety disorders. Lithium and Depakote are mood stabilizers prescribed for those with bipolar disorder. Studies may use a double-blind procedure to avoid the placebo effect and researcher's bias.

Drugs such as Xanax and Ativan, which depress central nervous system activity, can become addictive when used as ongoing treatment. These drugs are referred to as ( ) drugs.

antianxiety

The drugs given most often to treat depression are called ( ). Schizophrenia is often treated with ( ) drugs.

antidepressants; antipsychotic

An approach that seeks to identify and alleviate conditions that put people at high risk for developing psychological disorders is called: a. deep brain stimulation. b. the mood-stabilizing perspective. c. spontaneous recovery. d. preventive mental health.

d

Severe depression that has not responded to other therapy may be treated with ( ), which can cause brain seizures and memory loss. More moderate neural stimulation techniques designed to help alleviate depression include ( ) magnetic stimulation and ( ) stimulation.

electroconvulsive therapy (ECT); repetitive transcranial; deep brain