PSY502 Lectures 38-40

MODERN TRENDS IN PSYCHOLOGICAL TREATMENT · 1️⃣ Why psychological treatments changed over time · Big idea

Psychological treatment did not start as science. It evolved.

Explanation

In ancient times, philosophers like Socrates explained mental problems using speculation (guessing, thinking, philosophy). Later, psychology became a scientific study of behavior and mind. As psychology changed, methods of treatment also changed.

📌 Key term

Speculation: Thinking or guessing without scientific testing. 👉 Earlier: “Mental illness is caused by spirits or fate.” 👉 Now: “Mental illness has psychological, biological, and social causes.” Different schools of psychology (psychoanalytic, behavioral, cognitive, humanistic) focused on different causes, so they developed different treatments.

2️⃣ Classification of mental disorders · Two broad categories of mental illness · 🔹 Neurosis (less severe)

Person is in touch with reality Can function in daily life Examples: Anxiety Phobias Mild depression Obsessive thoughts 📌 Neurosis: A mild mental disorder where reality testing is intact.

🔹 Psychosis (more severe)

Loss of contact with reality Hallucinations and delusions Person may not realize they are ill 📌 Psychosis: A severe mental disorder involving distorted perception of reality. Examples: Schizophrenia Severe bipolar disorder Severe depression with delusions

3️⃣ Manuals for diagnosing mental disorders

Psychologists worldwide use standard manuals so diagnosis is uniform.

📘 ICD

International Classification of Diseases

Developed by World Health Organization (WHO) Used internationally

📘 DSM

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders

Developed by American Psychiatric Association (APA) Very detailed, widely used in research 📌 These manuals: List all known mental disorders Give symptoms and criteria Help professionals diagnose correctly

4️⃣ Two main approaches to treatment

🔹 A) Psychological approaches

(No medicines) Treatment through: Talking Listening Understanding emotions Changing thoughts and behaviors 📌 Psychotherapy: Treatment of mental disorders using psychological methods rather than drugs.

🔹 B) Biological approaches

(Medicines + medical procedures) Used for severe and chronic disorders Includes: Drugs ECT Surgery (rare)