Psychology Group Work (2024) PDF

College of Social and Humanities Freshman Engineering **General Psychology \[Psyc 1011\]** **(PSYCHOLOGICAL DISORDERS AND TREATMENT THECHNIQUES)** **N.o** **GROUP MEMBER** **ID N.o** --------- -------------------- ---------------- **1** **Hanan Abdu** **ETS0701/17** **2**...

College of Social and Humanities Freshman Engineering **General Psychology \[Psyc 1011\]** **(PSYCHOLOGICAL DISORDERS AND TREATMENT THECHNIQUES)** **N.o** **GROUP MEMBER** **ID N.o** --------- -------------------- ---------------- **1** **Hanan Abdu** **ETS0701/17** **2** **Hani Alemu** **ETS0702/17** **3** **Hanna Asrat** **ETS0703/17** **4** **Hanna Assefa** **ETS0704/17** **5** **Hanna Desalegn** **ETS0705/17** **6** **Haset Kehasay** **ETS0707/17** **7** **Hassen Abdu** **ETS0708/17** **8** **Hasset Bizuneh** **ETS0709/17** **9** **Hasset Mesfin** **ETS0710/17** **Submitted To: Mr. Teshome Teka** **Submission Date: Dec 18, 2024** **Table of contents** 1 Introduction............................................................................1 2 Nature of psychological disorders...................................................2 3 Causes of psychological disorders (Based on perspectives).................... 4 3.2. psychological perspectives..................................................4 3.3 Learning perspective.........................................................4 3.4. Cognitive perspective...................................................\.....5 4 Types of Psychological Disorders................................................\...5 5 Treatment Techniques...............................................................11 6 Summary...........................................................................\...16 7 References.............................................................................17 **Introduction** Psychological disorders, also known as mental health disorders, are a range of conditions that affect an individual\'s thinking, feeling, behavior, or mood, leading to distress or impaired functioning in daily life. These disorders can manifest in a variety of ways, including mood swings, anxiety, delusions, and significant disruptions in personal, social, or professional life. Mental health conditions are common, with millions of people worldwide affected by disorders such as depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Psychological disorders are not merely a reflection of \"bad behavior\" or personal weakness, but rather complex interactions between biological, psychological, and environmental factors. Genetics, brain chemistry, trauma, and life experiences all play roles in the development of mental health conditions. As society becomes more aware of the prevalence of these disorders, understanding and addressing mental health has become a critical aspect of overall well-being. The treatment of psychological disorders aims to alleviate symptoms, enhance functioning, and improve quality of life. Treatment approaches are varied, with a focus on psychotherapy (talk therapy), medication, lifestyle changes, and emerging techniques. There is no one-size-fits-all approach, and effective treatment often involves a combination of methods tailored to the individual's specific needs. In this overview, we explore the nature of psychological disorders, their causes, and some of the most widely used and innovative treatment techniques that help individuals manage their conditions and lead healthier, more fulfilling lives. 1. **NATURE OF PSYCHOLOGICAL DISORDER** The nature of psychological disorders involves patterns of thoughts, feelings, or behaviors that are deviant, distressing, and dysfunctional. [ ] Psychological disorders are conditions characterized by abnormal thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. - What are the criteria used for determining that person has a psychological problem/disorder? A person\'s inner experiences and behaviors are considered to reflect a psychological disorder if they cause the person considerable distress, or greatly impair the ability to function as a normal individual (often referred to as functional impairment, or occupational and social impairment) We generally have three main criteria to determine if a person has psychological disorder. These criteria includes: abnormality, maladaptiveness and personal distress. 1. **[Abnormality]** Abnormality is a key concept used to determine whether a person\'s thoughts, emotions, or behaviors can be classified as psychologically abnormal. Abnormal behavior is a behavior that deviates from the behavior of the 'typical' person; the norm. That is when someone behaves in culturally unacceptable ways and the behavior he or she exhibit violates the norm, standards, rules and regulations of the society. only abnormal behaviors cannot be sufficient for the diagnosis of psychological disorder. Hence, we need to consider the context in which a person's behavior exist or happen. The context in which 'abnormal' behavior occurs must be considered before deciding that it is symptomatic of psychological problems or disorders. Several criteria are typically used to define abnormality, and they are often evaluated together to make a judgment. These include: - **Statistical Rarity (Statistical Infrequency)** - **Violation of social norms** - **Unpredictability and Irrationality** - **Observer Discomfort** - **Danger** 2. **[Maladaptive Behavior ]** Behavior is a psychological term which includes either observable or measurable acts of people or animal to a certain environmental situation. Adaptive person is a type of person who adjusts effectively to change, or someone who blends himself/ herself with any situation that comes up in their life. They are flexible, resilient and have problem solving skills which allows them to handle variety of situations that comes up in life. Maladaptive person is the total opposite of adaptive person, they are people who can't adjust themselves with the changes in their environment, they are people who can't cope with stress and does their given required tasks effectively, they are people who are resilient someone who can overcome challenges that comes up in their life. Maladaptive behaviors like social anxiety, perfectionism, extreme isolation, emotional dysregulation and others. The main causes for this type of behavior is past trauma, stress, genetic predisposition, family dynamics and others. The most common cause for this type of behavior is specially which cause people with the problem to self-isolate or social anxiety is past trauma. Past trauma is experiences which includes being abuse, neglected, abandoned, and other past traumatic experiences causes one to isolate him/her-self form others. Mostly the one which causes this kind of trauma are the parents of the child, if one's child parent abandoned him for instance he will most likely grow-up to be mistrusting of anyone who comes close to him he would thing that person wont truly lasts with him and he will also have a sense not being loved by anyone in his surrounding, so childhood experience are the base to who are as an adult. Each behavior we show now is the reflection of our past. Behavior are built and nurtured up on past experiences, someone who is cared for will become a caring parent and the ones whose parent neglected him/her will most likely come out to be negligible. But luckily past trauma could be healed, even though you cannot fully get rid of at least it won't ruin your future life. The solution to heal past trauma which causes maladaptive behavior are therapies which is a treatment designed to help individuals address the causes for their mental health issues, emotional difficulties, or behavioral problems together with their psychiatrist. The other is self-help strategies which is a techniques individuals can use independently to manage stress anxiety, depression, or other mental health challenges through journaling, deep-breathing exercises, mindfulness meditation, setting goals, managing daily routines and other relaxation techniques. They can also use social support groups to help them grow out of their childhood trauma, social support refers to the networking of individual with other that went through the same trauma and some what got through with it so they gather around forms group and shares their experience and how they got through with it. By doing this and other technique which improves ones mental health one could improve his/her maladaptive behavior and explore on meeting new people and having vast amount of experiences in life. 3. **[personal distress]** **Personal distress refers to the negative emotional response a person experiences, this includes feelings like anxiety which is the worry or fear about the future or what comes next, stress which is the mental and physical strain experienced by an individual in a situation which is challenging, tension which almost the same thing as stress, and other unpleasant emotions.** **This can be triggered by various factors like work pressure, exams, personal conflicts, or unexpected changes. This type of psychological disorder or illness can also result physical illness like increased heart rate, muscle tension, headaches, and other physical pain can be followed.one of the most common physical effect of personal distress is increase in heart rate. When some one is highly stressed or anxious of what will come next their heart-rate increases significantly, this effect might be serious or minor. Minor like for someone with no history of heart problem its not that much serious, however if that person has heart issue or any other health issue like stroke and diabetes the effect is high which can even cause death.** **The best solution for this includes therapy and self-care strategy. Therapeutic interventions, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), can help individuals re-frame negative thought patterns, while mindfulness practices offer techniques for managing stress and promoting emotional regulation. Self-care techniques such as practicing deep breathing, maintaining a balanced routine, and setting clear boundaries at work or in personal relationships can help manage distress in the short term.** 2. **CAUSES OF PSYCHOLOGICAL DISORDER** **[A. Biological perspective]** Researchers believe that imbalances or abnormalities in brain chemicals, called **neurotransmitters**, can lead to psychological disorders.  **For example**:  **Dopamine**, a neurotransmitter, plays a key role in how we think and feel. Too much dopamine activity in the brain has been linked to **schizophrenia**, which is a disorder that can cause hallucinations, delusions, and confused thinking. B. **[Psychlogical Perspective on Psychological Disorders]** Sigmund Freud, the founder of psychoanalysis, believed that the human mind has three key parts that interact: 1. **Id** -- The part of the mind focused on basic urges, like hunger, aggression, and sexual desires. 2. **Ego** -- The rational part that balances the demands of the id with the realities of life. 3. **Superego** -- The moral part that represents societal and parental standards of right and wrong. - According to Freud, **abnormal behavior** occurs when the ego cannot manage the conflict between the id's desires and the superego\'s strict moral rules. For example, unresolved conflicts during childhood-such as struggling with the id\'s sexual impulses versus societal expectations---can lead to emotional problems that affect a person\'s behavior and thinking later in life. C. **[Learning Perspective on Psychological Disorders]** Unlike the psychoanalytic view, the **learning perspective suggests** that most mental and emotional disorders develop due to inappropriate or inadequate learning. This means that people may **learn abnormal behaviors** through their experiences, interactions, or environment. There are three key types of learning that may contribute to abnormal behavior: 1. **Classical Conditioning** -- Associating one event with another (e.g., fear of dogs after being bitten). 2. **Ope-rant Conditioning** -- Behaviors learned through rewards or punishments (e.g., avoiding social situations because it reduces anxiety). 3. **Observational Learning** -- Learning by watching others (e.g., adopting fearful behavior after observing a parent's phobias). **[ ]D. [ Cognitive Perspective on Psychological Disorders]** The **cognitive perspective** focuses on how our thoughts influence our emotions and behaviors. According to this view: ** The quality of our** **internal dialogue**---how we think and talk to ourselves---can either boost our mental health or harm it.  **Self-defeating thoughts** (e.g., "I'm worthless" or "I'll never succeed") can lead to negative emotions like anxiety or depression and self-destructive behaviors. The way we interpret events in our life shapes our emotional and behavioral responses.  **Distorted thinking patterns**, often shaped by our environment and cultural experiences, can lead to psychological disturbances. 3. **Types of Psychological Disorders** Psychological disorders, also known as mental illnesses, refer to a wide range of mental health conditions that affect mood, thinking, and behavior. These disorders can vary in terms of severity, duration, and impact on daily life. A psychological disorder is a condition characterized by abnormal thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. **Psycho-pathology** is the study of psychological disorders, including their symptoms, their causes, and treatment. The term psychopathology can also refer to the manifestation of a psychological disorder. Three types of disorder are discussed here: **mood disorder**, **anxiety disorder**, and **personality disorder.** **1.[Mood Disorders]** Mood disorders involve disturbances in emotional regulation, leading to persistent feelings of sadness or extreme elation. Mood disorders are characterized by a serious change in mood that cause disruption to life activities**.** - **Depressive disorder** is characterized by overall feelings of desperation and inactivity. - **Elevated moods** are characterized by mania or hypomania. - The cycling between both depressed and manic moods is characteristic of **bipolar mood disorder.** A. **Major Depression Disorder**: MDD ( clinical depression) Major Depressive Disorder, often simply called depression, is one of the most common mood disorders. It involves persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a lack of interest in daily activities for at least two weeks or more. #### **Key Symptoms:** - Persistent sadness, emptiness, or hopelessness - Loss of interest or pleasure in most daily activities (anhedonia) - Fatigue or loss of energy - Significant weight loss or weight gain (or changes in appetite) - Difficulty sleeping (insomnia) or excessive sleeping (hypersomnia) - Feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt - Difficulty concentrating, making decisions, or thinking clearly - Thoughts of death or suicide B. **Dysthymia ( Persistent Depressive Disorder)** Dysthymia is often considered a lesser, but more persistent form of depression. The symptoms are similar to major depression but tend to be less severe and persist for a longer period. C. **Bipolar Disorder** (previously known as Manic-Depression) Bipolar disorder is characterized by extreme mood swings that include emotional highs (mania or hypo-mania) and lows (depression). These mood swings can affect a person\'s relationships, work, and overall functioning. Types of Bipolar Disorder: - **Bipolar I Disorder:** Defined by manic episodes that last at least seven days or by manic symptoms that are so severe that immediate hospital care is needed. Depressive episodes may also occur, typically lasting at least two weeks. - **Bipolar II Disorder:** Defined by a pattern of depressive episodes and hypo-manic episodes, but not the full-blown manic episodes seen in Bipolar I #### Key Symptoms: - **Mania (during manic episodes):** - Elevated mood, increased energy, and activity levels - Impulsivity or risky behavior (e.g., excessive spending, promiscuity) - Decreased need for sleep (e.g., feeling rested after only a few hours of sleep) - Racing thoughts and rapid speech - Increased talkativeness or distractibility - Grandiosity (inflated sense of self-importance) - **Depression (during depressive episodes):** - Symptoms similar to those of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), including sadness, fatigue, and loss of interest in activities. D. **Cyclothymia** Cyclothymia Like Dysthymia and Major Depression, Cyclothymiacs is considered a lesser form of Bipolar Disorder. Cyclothymic Disorder is a mild, chronic mood disorder characterized by mood swings that include periods of hypomanic symptoms and periods of depressive symptoms. However, these symptoms do not meet the diagnostic criteria for full manic or depressive episodes. **[2. Anxiety Disorder]** The word anxiety represents the feeling of nervousness or unease about something with an uncertain outcome, can be beneficial in some situations. It can alert us to danger and help us prepare and pay attention. Anxiety disorder is a mental health condition characterized by excessive and persistent feeling of fear, worry or anxiety that are often disproportionate to the actual threat or situation. It affects nearly 30 percent of adults at some point in their lives. The causes of anxiety disorders are not fully understood. Researchers are finding that both genetic and environmental factors contribute to the risk of developing an anxiety disorder. For instance environmental factors such as death in family, work stress, ongoing worry about finances or childhood can be mentioned. It can cause people into trying to avoid situations that trigger or worsen their symptoms. Job performance, school work and personal relationships can be affected. There are several types of anxiety disorder, including: Panic Disorder, Agoraphobia, Specific Phobias, Social Phobia, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, and Generalized Anxiety Disorder. - Panic disorder: is characterized by a series of panic attack and may include symptoms like heart palpitations, sweating, trembling and feeling of impending doom. These symptoms are so severe that the person may actually believe he or she is having a heart attack. - Agoraphobia: literary means fear of the market place. An intense fear of being in open places or in situations where it may be hard to escape, or where help may not be available. People with agoraphobia are usually very anxious about having a panic attack in a public place. - Specific/simple phobia: involves intense fear of specific objects or situations (height, spider, flying \...) that leads to avoidance behavior. - Social phobia: involves high levels of anxiety, fear and avoidance of social situations due to feelings of embarrassment, self-consciousness and concern about being judged or viewed negatively by others. - Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD): is characterized by obsessions (thoughts which seem uncontrollable) and compulsions (behaviors which act to reduce the obsession).The major symptoms of OCD are fear of contamination or dirt, doubting and having a hard time dealing with uncertainty, needing things to be orderly and balanced, aggressive or horrific thoughts about losing control and harming yourself or others, Unwanted thoughts, including aggression, or sexual or religious subjects. - Posttraumatic stress disorder: a disorder characterized by failure to recover after experiencing or witnessing a terrifying event. The most common examples are war, natural disasters, major accidents, and severe child abuse. The condition may last months or years, with triggers that can bring back memories of the trauma accompanied by intense emotional and physical reactions. Symptoms may include nightmares or flashbacks, avoidance of situations that bring back the trauma, heightened reactivity to stimuli, anxiety or depressed mood. - Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): characterized by chronic and excessive worry about various aspects of life, such as health, work and social interactions. It is not associated with just open places (as in agoraphobia), specific situations (as in specific phobia), or a traumatic event (as in PTSD). Typical anxiety can last for days, or at least until you\'ve dealt with whatever is making you anxious, but anxiety disorders can persist for months or years without relief. Anxiety by itself cannot kill directly, but may lead to serious complications including; mental, physical condition and social isolation. Treatment for anxiety disorders can vary based on the individual and the specific type of anxiety disorder they are experiencing. Here are some common treatment methods: 1**. Psychotherapy (Talk Therapy)** Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Exposure Therapy Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) 2\. **Medications:** Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRI) 3**. Lifestyle Changes** Regular Exercise Healthy Diet Sleep Hygiene 4\. **Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques** Mindfulness Meditation Deep Breathing Exercises Yoga and Tai Chi 5\. **Support Groups** 6**. Education and Self-Help** **2.[Personality Disorder]** Personality disorder is a type of mental health that affects how a person thinks,feel and behaves. It can cause problems in their relationships, work and daily life. People with personality disorders often have trouble understanding and relating to others,and they may have difficulty managing their own emotions and thoughts.There are several different types of personality disorders, each with its own set of symptoms and characteristics. **Types of Personality Disorders** There are several different types of personality disorders, each with its own set of symptoms and characteristic. Some of the most common types of personality disorders include: 1. **[Borderline personality disorder]**: people with this disorder often have intense and unstable emotions,and they may have difficulty forming and maintaining relationships. 2. **[Narcissistic personality disorder]**: people with this disorder have an inflated sense of self-importance and a need for admiration.They may also engage in self-harming behaviors. 3. **[Antisocial personality disorder:]** people with this disorder often have a disregard for the rights of others and may engage in illegal or unethical behavior. 4. **[Schizotypal personality disorde]**r: people with this disorder often have eccentric or odd behaviors and may have difficulty forming and maintaining relationships, and they also have unusual beliefs. 5. **[Avoidant personality disorder]**: people with this disorder often have low self-esteem and may be overly sensitive to criticism or rejection,and they may be socially isolated. 6. **[Histrionic personality disorder]**: people with this disorder often have a tendency to be overlay dramatic or attention-seeking. 7. **[Dependent personality disorder]**: people with this disorder often have strong need to be taken care of and may have difficulty making decisions or taking responsibility for their own lives 8. **[Obsessive-Compulsive personality disorder:]** people with this disorder often have a preoccupation with order and organization , and they may have difficulty delegating tasks or trusting others. 9. **[Paranoid personality disorder]**: people with this disorder often have a tendency to be suspicious or mistrustful of others, and they may have difficultly forming and maintaining relationships. - **It is important to note that these are just a few examples of the many different types of personality disorders that exist.** **Causes and Risk Factors** The development of personality disorders is influenced by a combination of biological, psychological, and environmental factors: - **Biological Factors**: Genetics play a significant role. Studies show that individuals with a family history of mental health disorders are more likely to develop personality disorders. Brain structures and function may also contribute, especially in regulating emotions and decision-making. - **Childhood Experiences**: Traumatic events during childhood, such as neglect, physical or emotional abuse, and parental inconsistency, can significantly increase the risk of developing personality disorders. For instance, individuals with borderline personality disorder often report a history of early abandonment or trauma. - **Cultural and Social Factors**: Cultural norms shape how personality traits are perceived. Traits considered acceptable in one culture may be stigmatized in another, influencing the diagnosis and treatment of personality disorders. **Impact on Daily Life** Personality disorders profoundly affect daily functioning. Individuals may struggle with: - **Relationships:** Trust issues, emotional instability, and communication difficulties can strain Personal and professional relationships. - **Work:** perfectionism, impulsivity, or fear of criticism may hinder career advancement or lead to job loss. - **Mental Health**: Many individuals with personality disorders experience co-occurring conditions Such as anxiety, depression, or substance abuse. **Treatment and Management** While personality disorders are challenging to manage, effective treatments can help individuals lead healthier, more fulfilling lives. - **psychotherapy**: - **Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT):** Particularly effective for BPD, DBT teaches skills for Emotional regulation and improving interpersonal relationships. - **Psycho-dynamic Therapy**: focuses on uncovering unconscious patterns and addressing Past trauma. - **Cognitive --Behavior therapy (DBT)**: focuses on identifying and changing maladaptive behavior. - **Medication:** While no medication directly treats personality disorders, antidepressants, mood stabilizers, or anti-psychotics can manage symptoms like depression, anxiety or impulsivity. - **Support Systems**: Family, friends, and support groups play a critical role in recovery. Education and counseling for loved ones can help build understanding and reduce conflict. **4.TREATMENT TECHNIQUES** The study and understanding of psychological disorders have come a long way, and so has the treatment. When physicians first began finding treatments for psychological disorders, they often used a technique dating back to the ancient Greeks called bloodletting. The belief was that certain ailments ( any illness or disorder) could be treated by draining the body\'s fluids.The history of the treatment of psychological disorders is a dark one. Many people with mental illnesses were treated inhumanely and were often accused of having a demonic possession Thankfully, medical science has advanced significantly since then, and such practices have been replaced with more effective and evidence-based treatments. Today, our understanding of psychological disorders and their treatments is much more sophisticated, allowing for better outcomes for patients. Treatment of mental illnesses can take various forms. They can include medication, talk therapy, a combination of both, and can last only one session or take many years to complete. Many different types of treatment are available, but most agree that the core components of psychotherapy remain the same. Psychotherapy consists of the following: I. A positive, healthy relationship between a client or patient and a trained psychotherapist. II. Recognizable mental health issues, whether diagnosable or not III. Agreement on the basic goals of treatment IV. Working together as a team to achieve these goals **Psychotherapy (treatments for disorders)** Providing psychological treatment to individuals with some kind of psychological problems is called psychotherapy and the person who treats the patient is called Psychiatrists, Psychologists, Therapists and Counselors, social workers etc\.... When providing psychotherapy, there are several issues to be considered. First and foremost is **empathy**. It is a requirement for a successful practitioner to be able to understand his or her client\'s feelings, thoughts, and behaviors. Second, **being nonjudgmental** is vital if the relationship and treatment are going to work. Everybody makes mistakes, everybody does stuff they aren\'t proud of. If your therapist judges you, then you don\'t feel safe talking about similar issues again. Therapists **approach clients from slightly different angles**, although the ultimate goal remains the same to help the client reduce negative symptoms, gain insight into why these symptoms occurred and work through those issues, and reduce the emergence of the symptoms in the future. 1. [ **Treatment Approaches**] Although, treatments for disorders vary according to the type, severity and nature of the disorder and clients' condition generally treatments can be-grouped in to two broad categories - biomedical and psychological treatments - **[Biomedical therapies ]** Therapists prescribe medication or a medical procedure that acts directly on the patients nervous system based on biological treatment. - ***Shock therapies*** such as Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT): Used for severe depression when other treatments have failed. - ***Psycho-surgery*** such as Deep brain stimulation - ***Antidepressants:*** Used for depression, anxiety disorders, and some other conditions. - ***Anti psychotics***: Used for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. - ***Anxiolytics***: Prescribed for anxiety disorders (e.g., benzodiazepines). - ***Mood Stabilizers***: Often used for bipolar disorder. - **[Psychotherapy (Talk Therapy)]** *** Cognitive Therapy***: Focuses on identifying and changing negative thought patterns and behaviors arising from irrational or faulty thinking. In other words, we perceive the world in a certain way (which may or may not be accurate) and this result in acting and feeling a certain way. **Appear to work better with most types of depression.** *** Behavior Therapy:*** look at problems as arising from our behaviors which we have learned to perform over years. Behavioral treatments tend to work better with phobias *** Psychodynamic Therapy***: Explores unconscious processes and past early childhood experiences to understand current behavior. *** Humanistic Therapy***: Emphasizes personal growth, responsibility for oneself and self-actualization often using techniques like unconditional positive regard rejecting psychoanalytic and behavioral approaches. *** Interpersonal Therapy (IPT)***: Focuses on improving interpersonal relationships and social functioning. - Most mental health professionals nowadays follow bio psycho-social or eclectic approach in how to treat people using different approaches. - These professionals are sometimes referred to as integrationists **Other methods include:** **[1. Alternative Therapies]** ***Art and Music Therapy:*** Uses creative expression to help individuals' process emotions. *** Animal-Assisted Therapy***: Incorporates animals to improve emotional well-being. [2. **Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques**] ** *Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR):*** Incorporates mindfulness meditation to reduce stress and improve emotional regulation. *** Yoga and Meditation***: Promotes relaxation and stress relief. *** Breathing Exercises:*** Helps manage anxiety and stress. **3**. **[Lifestyle Changes]** ***Exercise:*** Regular physical activity can improve mood and reduce anxiety. *** Nutrition***: A balanced diet can impact mental health positively. *** Sleep Hygiene***: Improving sleep patterns can significantly affect mental health. **[4. Supportive Therapies]** *** Group Therapy***: Provides support and interaction with others facing similar issues. ***Family Therapy:*** Involves family members in therapy to improve communication and resolve conflicts. **[2. Treatement Modalities]** Therapy modalities are the different therapeutic techniques, approaches, or processes conducted by licensed mental health professionals to help treat and improve patients\' psychological, emotional, and social well-being. Treatment modalities and interventions have been developed over the decades **Most therapy modalities include the following:** - Psychoanalytic. - Psycho dynamic (focused on the unconscious) - Behavioral (focused on learning new behavior) - Cognitive (focused on thought) - Humanistic (focused on achieving potential) - Integrative (combining elements of these modalities) [Therapy] is most often thought of as a one-on-one relationship between a client or patient and a therapist. This is probably the most common example, but therapy can also take different forms. 1\. Individual Therapy Individual therapy refers to one-on-one mental health treatment that is personalized to suit an individual\'s unique needs. It involves setting therapeutic goals, processes one\'s past, and learning how to manage one\'s symptoms or triggers in order to live a healthier life. **Benefits of Individual Therapy** - Retraining the brain to cope with depression, anxiety, and other emotional issues. - Changing negative behaviors by re framing cognition\'s. - Avoiding the need to self-medicate to cope with stressors. - Releasing negative emotions in a safe, trusted setting. - Obtaining informed advice on life issues. 2\. Group Therapy Group therapy involves one or more psychologists who lead a group of roughly five to 15 patients. Typically, groups meet for an hour or two each week. Some people attend individual therapy in addition to groups, while others participate in groups only. **Benefits of Group Therapy** - Treat individuals suffering from similar illness or having similar issues meet together with one or two therapists. - Help the patients realize they are not alone and give them the feeling of being understood. - Helps to relate the patient with other similar patient in the same therapy group in healthier ways. - Let the patient get to be accepted as he\\she is important part of the group and get encouraged and supported. The power of group is due to the need in all of us to belong, feel understood, and know that there is hope. All of these things make group as powerful as it is. Therapy can also take place in smaller groups consisting of a couple or a family. In this type of treatment, the issues to be worked on are centered around the relationship. There is often an educational component, like other forms of therapy, such as communication training, and couples and families are encouraged to work together as a team rather than against each other. The therapist\'s job is to facilitate healthy interaction, encourage the couple or family to gain insight into their own behaviors, and to teach the members to listen to and respect each other. Sometimes therapy can include more than one treatment modality. A good example of this is 97 percent of individuals who suffers from depression, social anxiety and low self-esteem. For this person, individual therapy may be used to reduce depressive symptoms, work some on self-esteem and therefore reduce fears about social situations. Once successfully completed, this person may be transferred to a group therapy setting where he or she can practice social skills, feel a part of a supportive group, therefore improving self-esteem and further reducing depression. The treatment approach and modality are always considered, along with many other factors, in order to provide the best possible treatment for any particular person. Sometimes more than one is used, sometimes a combination of many of them, but together the goal remains to improve the life of the client. **SUMMARY** In conclusion, psychological disorders encompass a wide range of conditions that affect individuals\' thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. These disorders, which include anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, and many others, can significantly impact daily functioning and quality of life. Understanding the causes and manifestations of these disorders is critical for identifying effective treatment strategies. Treatment techniques for psychological disorders have evolved over time, integrating approaches from various schools of thought, such as psychoanalysis, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), and biological interventions like medication. Each treatment method offers unique benefits, and the choice of treatment depends on the specific nature of the disorder, the severity of symptoms, and individual preferences. Modern approaches often combine therapies to provide holistic care, incorporating both psychological and medical perspectives to promote recovery and manage symptoms effectively. Overall, the field of psychology continues to make strides in understanding and treating psychological disorders. Through continued research and clinical practice, new treatments are emerging, offering hope and improved outcomes for those affected by these conditions. A personalized approach, integrating multiple treatment modalities, remains essential in the management and treatment of psychological disorders. **References** - Study smart(2024, Dec16) [https://www.studysmarter.co.uk/explanations/psychology/clinical-psychology/treatment-of-psychological-disorders](https://www.studysmarter.co.uk/explanations/psychology/clinical-psychology/treatment-of-psychological-disorders%20https://www.studysmarter.co.uk/explanations/psychology/clinical-psychology/treatment-of-psychological-disorders/) - Aemero Asmamaw, University of Gondar(2019), PSYCHOLOGICAL DISORDER AND TREATMENT TECHNIQUES - Christie P. Karpiak, PhD, University of Scranton (2019)American Psychological Association (APA) and the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). - Anoka-Ramsey Community College. (2008). Symptoms and classifications of psychological disorders. Retrieved from - American Psychiatric Association. (2023). DSM-5 diagnostic criteria. Retrieved from