Question

Treatments for mental disorder vary depending on the theory behind the mental disorder, research of various therapies, and the efficacy (success) of the treatments against the disorder. The biological approach to mental disorders is often associated with the medical model, which includes the use of medications to treat and/or manage the symptoms related to a particular mental disorder. Genetic factors have been a significant part of diagnosing disorders related to developmental disabilities, such as Down's syndrome. However, as the understanding of genetics and their interactions with environmental catalysts grows, a greater understanding of the onset of mental disorders is also growing. Describe the main types of psychotherapies; for each type, explain how it may be more effective for a particular set of disorders. Describe the major types of drug classes that are used to treat mental disorders. Briefly explain how they work based on their neurochemistry.

Answer 1

Different types of psychotherapy and its use on different disorders are mentioned below

1. Cognitive behavioural therapy - It focuses on bringing awareness on type of thinking and guiding it to adaptive and healthy thinking. It is used for treating anxiety, depression, Obsessive compulsive disorder, post traumatic stress disorder etc.

2. Dialectical behaviour therapy - Clients are helped to gain insight on thoughts, emotions and behaviours and provide skills to manage them. It helps to treat people with borderline personality disorder.

Interpersonal therapy - It is helped to treat depression and dysthymia. The therapy focuses on person's interpersonal relationships, improving communication patterns.

Family focused therapy - It treats bipolar disorder and the treatment includes including family members and improving family relationships relationships and support system.

Cognitive behavioural hypnotherapy- It combines hypnosis and cognitive behavioural therapy and treats post traumatic stress disorder.

Expressive therapy - It includes many types of art therapies like dance, drama, music etc , as the therapy is based on the thought that art can heal people. This therapy is particularly useful in treating mild depression.

Major drug classes to treat mental disorders are antidepressants, anti-anxiety, anti-psychotic, mood stabilizers and stimulant medications.

Neurochemistry in mental illnesa drugs -

Antidepressants - It increases brain's concentration of various neurotransmitters - both norepinephrine and serotonin to improve mood.

Antipsychotic drugs - They block D2 receptor of the dopamine receptor and 5HT2A receptor of serotonin receptor.

Anti-anxiety drugs- It blocks reuptake of both serotonin and norepinephrine.