Question 1

Priya has been depressed for the last year and has been hospitalized for the past three months because she is suicidal. Many of the "first-line" or typical treatments for depression have not been effective for Priya, including cognitive therapy and drug therapy. Which of the following forms of treatment would a psychiatrist be most likely to recommend for Priya?

Accepted Answer

Transcranial magnetic stimulation is a potential treatment option for individuals who have not responded to other forms of treatment for depression. It involves using magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain, potentially improving symptoms of depression. Phototherapy may be effective for individuals who suffer from seasonal affective disorder, but it is unlikely to be helpful for someone with depression as severe as Priya's. A frontal lobotomy is an outdated and controversial procedure that is no longer used to treat depression. Atypical antipsychotics may be used as a last resort for severe cases of depression, but transcranial magnetic stimulation is a more targeted and less invasive option.

Question 2

Bipolar disorder is characterized by mood disturbances that may range from major depression to mania. However, the treatment for bipolar focuses on ________ rather than ________.

Accepted Answer

The treatment for bipolar disorder focuses on managing manic symptoms rather than depressive symptoms. This is because individuals with bipolar disorder are at a greater risk for experiencing episodes of mania, which can lead to impulsive and risky behavior. Medications such as mood stabilizers are typically used to manage mania, while psychotherapy may also be used to help individuals develop coping strategies for their symptoms.

Question 3

Disorders of emotion can sometimes be treated by a medication that works by increasing the levels of serotonin and other neurotransmitters in the brain. Such drugs are called

Accepted Answer

Antidepressants specifically work to increase levels of serotonin and other neurotransmitters in the brain, which can improve mood and alleviate symptoms of depression and certain anxiety disorders. Antipsychotics are used to treat psychotic disorders, mood stabilizers are used to prevent and manage mood fluctuations in bipolar disorder, and stimulants are used to treat conditions such as ADHD.

Question 4

Electroconvulsive therapy may be a better treatment option than drugs for clients who

Accepted Answer

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is considered a safe and effective treatment option for severe depression during pregnancy because it does not involve medication that could potentially harm the developing fetus.

Question 5

Giving a client diagnosed with depression a placebo instead of an active drug

Accepted Answer

Placebos can have a significant impact on depression, with studies showing that about 30% of patients report symptom alleviation due to the placebo effect. This phenomenon is attributed to the patient's belief in the treatment's efficacy, which can trigger chemical changes in the brain.

Question 6

In terms of alternative therapies for depression, some clients with mild to moderate depression respond well to ________, whereas clients with severe and difficult-to-treat depression may respond better to ________.

Accepted Answer

Regular aerobic exercise has been shown to improve mood and reduce symptoms of mild to moderate depression. In more severe cases, electroconvulsive therapy may be necessary as a more intensive and effective form of treatment. Changes in diet and phototherapy may also be helpful for some individuals, but are not typically recommended as first-line treatments for depression.

Question 7

When comparing treatments of depression, Dr. Crowning believes that cognitive-behavioral therapy

Accepted Answer

Various studies have shown that cognitive-behavioral therapy is just as effective as drugs in treating depression. In fact, some research suggests that it may have a longer-lasting effect and lower risk of relapse than medication.

Question 8

The treatment for depression that works by creating a seizure in the brain using an electrical current is called

Accepted Answer

The treatment for depression that involves creating a seizure in the brain using an electrical current is called electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Deep brain stimulation and transcranial magnetic stimulation both involve stimulating specific areas of the brain, but do not create seizures. Phototherapy involves exposure to bright light and is used primarily to treat seasonal affective disorder, a type of depression that occurs during the winter months. Therefore, B is the best choice as it specifically describes the treatment method of ECT.

Question 9

Jered is suicidal. He has been seriously depressed for about a year and is saying that he wants to "end it all." He has not responded to typical therapies. His psychiatrist believes it is critical to try something that will work as effectively and as quickly as possible. His psychiatrist will probably recommend

Accepted Answer

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is often considered in cases where immediate relief is needed, such as in severe depression and suicidal ideation. While it may have some side effects, it has been shown to be effective in treating treatment-resistant depression and rapidly improving symptoms.

Question 10

Unlike most psychological disorders, there is an optimal treatment for

Accepted Answer

While there are several medications and therapies that can help manage the symptoms of bipolar disorder, the most effective treatment is often a combination of mood stabilizing medications and psychotherapy. This can help individuals with bipolar disorder manage their mood swings, improve their relationships, and reduce their risk of self-harm or suicide.

Question 11

Theresa is experiencing a depressive episode and undergoes cognitive therapy to treat her symptoms. If she were in therapy with Aaron Beck, she would most likely be asked to challenge her negative thoughts about

Accepted Answer

Cognitive therapy, also known as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), focuses on identifying and challenging negative thoughts that contribute to depression. Aaron Beck, the founder of cognitive therapy, would ask Theresa to challenge her negative thoughts about herself, her situation, and the future. This process involves identifying negative automatic thoughts, examining the evidence for and against them, and ultimately replacing them with more accurate and positive thoughts. This is based on Beck's cognitive theory, which suggests that negative thoughts about oneself, the world, and the future contribute to depression.

Question 12

LaToya, who experiences severe depression, was recruited for a research study in which she will receive either an antidepressant or an active placebo. LaToya receives the active placebo. Compared with people receiving the active drug, LaToya will

Accepted Answer

LaToya is receiving an active placebo, which means that she will experience some improvement in her symptoms due to the placebo effect. However, the active placebo does not have the same effect as the actual antidepressant drug. Therefore, people receiving the actual drug are more likely to experience greater symptom relief than those receiving the active placebo, making option D the correct answer.

Question 13

Dr. Aruna has diagnosed several clients with social anxiety disorder, and he is interested in finding a treatment plan that will be effective in the long term and have the fewest side effects. Dr. Aruna should try

Accepted Answer

The answer of Dr. Aruna has diagnosed several clients with...

Question 14

Because bipolar disorder can include unusual thoughts that seem out of touch with reality, medications that are used to treat ________ may be effective for people with bipolar disorder.

Accepted Answer

Schizophrenia medications, specifically antipsychotics, can help reduce the intensity and frequency of hallucinations and delusions that may occur in bipolar disorder. These medications are designed to modify brain chemistry and reduce abnormal thought patterns, helping to stabilize mood and reduce the risk of manic or depressive episodes.

Question 15

Johnny's therapist has asked him to write down every instance of a negative thought and to challenge each of these thoughts so they become less automatic. For example, Johnny can attempt to gather evidence for his negative beliefs (which he probably will not find), or he can try to view the same situation from a neutral or positive point of view. The therapist who is treating Johnny is most like

Accepted Answer

This technique of challenging negative thoughts is a key component of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which was developed by Aaron Beck. CBT is a widely used form of talk therapy that aims to identify and change negative, unhelpful thought patterns.

Question 16

Because people with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) have recurring intrusive thoughts and feel compelled to perform anxiety-reducing actions, the most effective treatment for OCD is

Accepted Answer

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is the most effective treatment for OCD as it combines cognitive therapy (changing thought patterns) with exposure therapy (gradual exposure to feared triggers) and response prevention (preventing compulsive behaviors). This approach helps individuals with OCD learn to manage their intrusive thoughts and reduce anxiety without relying on compulsions. While psychotropic medication can be helpful in managing symptoms, it is often used in conjunction with CBT for the best long-term outcomes.

Question 17

Arnold is working with a client who has obsessive-compulsive disorder. Although he will be treating the client with cognitive-behavioral therapy, Arnold would also like to prescribe a psychotropic medication to help relieve some of the client's symptoms. Arnold should most likely try a(n)

Accepted Answer

Antidepressants are often prescribed in conjunction with cognitive-behavioral therapy for obsessive-compulsive disorder. They can help to reduce the obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors that are characteristic of the disorder by regulating levels of serotonin in the brain. Both selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) have been shown to be effective in treating OCD.

Question 18

Don has a cleanliness obsession that revolves around a fear of dirt and germs. His compulsion involves handwashing. In treatment for his disorder, Don is asked to touch all the dirty doorknobs in his therapist's office building and is told he cannot wash his hands. He and the therapist then sit together while Don tries to relax and overcome his feelings of extreme discomfort. This treatment

Accepted Answer

This treatment is known as exposure and response prevention therapy, a form of cognitive-behavioral therapy commonly used to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder. The goal is to extinguish the conditioned response (in this case, the urge to wash one's hands) by exposing the individual to the feared stimulus (in this case, germs) and preventing the usual response (handwashing). It has been shown to be an effective treatment for OCD.

Question 19

When comparing cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and drug treatments for treating anxiety disorders, research has shown that

Accepted Answer

Research has shown that while both CBT and drug treatments can be effective for treating anxiety disorders, CBT has longer-lasting effects and can prevent relapse even after treatment has ended. CBT is also often more cost-effective than drug treatments.

Question 20

Rebecca notices that as winter approaches and the days get shorter, colder, and less sunny, she feels increasingly sad and down. Rebecca's friend suggests that she try a treatment in which she sits by a high-intensity light source for a short period of time each day. Rebecca's friend is suggesting that she try

Accepted Answer

Rebecca's friend is suggesting that she try phototherapy, which is a treatment that involves sitting in front of a high-intensity light source to counteract the effects of seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and improve mood, energy, and sleep patterns. This treatment is effective for many individuals who experience depressive symptoms during the winter months due to the reduced exposure to sunlight.

Quiz 15: Psychological Treatments

Bipolar disorder is characterized by mood disturbances that may range from major depression to mania. However, the treatment for bipolar focuses on rather than .