Psyc 311 Abnormal Psychology

Many Types of Treatment

Biological

Treatment of Stress Disorders

Psychology 311 Abnormal Psychology
Listen to the audio lecture while viewing these slides
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Pharmacologic Medications Self Medications Biofeedback

Psychological
Relaxation training Systematic Desensitization Cognitive Modification

Social Interventions
Modify family, work, residential environment
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Psyc 311 Abnormal Psychology

Psyc 311 Abnormal Psychology

Challenges of Stress Treatment Need to identify the persons vulnerabilities Identify the persons social network Does the client even want help What if you have five multiple personalities and only one wants help? Is difficult to treat in general.

Different Types of Treatment

Psyc 311 Abnormal Psychology

Psyc 311 Abnormal Psychology

Non-Clinical Approaches Can increase alpha waves in the brain

Yoga

Biofeedback Works on the premise that you can control your own stress levels if you are provided feedback about some variable. Many variables can be monitored

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Use physical activity to increase endorphin levels

Running, biking, etc Note: You need 20-30 minutes of continuous exercise before endorphins begin to be released by the body.

Skin Conductance (through sweating) Muscle Tension Brain waves Others

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Psyc 311 Abnormal Psychology

Psyc 311 Abnormal Psychology

Procedure
Hook client to a monitoring device which gives off some tone. Have the person sit in a reclining chair As the person relaxes, the tone becomes deeper Person tries to make the tone as deep as possible. - Deep relaxation Can be extremely effective in training a person the feeling of relaxation Then when in stressful situations, the person can create the feelings of when they were relaxed. Result, lower stress levels 7

Medications
Many different types Benzodiazepine - Valium, Librium, Xanax
Are very safe Create good relaxation states Are usually addictive

Barbiturates - Phenobarbital and others

Are not as safe as Benzodiazepines Also make you drowsy. Are addictive Can be dangerous if taken with alcohol
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Psyc 311 Abnormal Psychology

Psyc 311 Abnormal Psychology

Self Medications Many types are used Alcohol, Marijuana, Nicotine, others Are designed to help the person relax. Some are highly addictive Many cause other medical problems

Other Negative self-solutions Overeating

Reduces blood flow Shuts down the system Increases glucose levels in the body Feels good Is a Xanthine (like tea, coffee) Provides a sugar hit plus a stimulant hit Makes you feel good Can become addictive as well 10

Chocolate

Psyc 311 Abnormal Psychology

Psyc 311 Abnormal Psychology

Relaxation Training Again many different types Progressive Muscle Relaxation Yoga Others E.g., Progressive Muscle Relaxation
Have the person concentrate on muscle groups. Have them tense, then relax The client then differentiates the feeling between the two Can be very effective technique 11

Visual Techniques Have the client picture a pleasant scene

E.g., Waves from the ocean, etc Block out the stressors in ones life

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Psyc 311 Abnormal Psychology

Psyc 311 Abnormal Psychology

Cognitive Counseling Techniques

Helps the client develop new ways of thinking and perceiving stressful situations. Has the client redefine what is really stressful in ones life Change thinking styles from
Life is a real pain, nothing goes right for me to, Some situations are a pain, mostly things go right for me. Concentrate on the positive vs. negative life events.

Control Is a key variable in stress reduction If a person perceived they have control over a situation, stress levels are lower Change from no control situation to having control over ones life

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Psyc 311 Abnormal Psychology

Psyc 311 Abnormal Psychology

Social Environmental Situations Identify stressful situations in a persons life Often occurs in family situations
Health Issues - Alzheimer's Marital problems Child raising problems Bernstein Bear scenario
To much household work To many child activities To much church To much travel for business No play time

Some Solutions
Have family members enter
Family, couples, or individual counseling

Develop alternative strategies for health related issues Reduce family activities
Must make choices

Allow a family members to take a break from situations on a periodic schedule. VACATION NOTE: It usually takes about 10 days before your brain begins to rest while on vacation. Vacations can also be stressful.
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Psyc 311 Abnormal Psychology

Psyc 311 Abnormal Psychology

Other Environmental Stressors

Neighborhood where you live
Requires community involvement

Conclusions Stress is very personal

Makes it hard to do research on Makes it hard to reduce Usually needs an individual action plan for systematic reduction

Work Environment
Identify the stressors Develop strategies to reduce

Television
Fast paced, targets negative aspects of the world Solution, turn it off Try for one week and see what happens to your stress levels.
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Some mild stress is good, to much is detrimental to the body and mind. Find ways to control or reduce
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