Ch 16: AP Psychology: Treatment Methods for Psychological Disorders
About This Chapter
AP Psychology: Treatment Methods for Psychological Disorders - Chapter Summary
From the talking cure to electric shock treatment, psychologists have tried many different ways to treat or cure abnormal mental functions. In this AP Psychology test prep chapter, you'll explore the different types of individual therapy. You'll learn about the three groups of psychiatric drugs and how each changes brain chemistry to reach a desired result. There are also some controversial biological treatments, and we'll explain how and why these are used. After completing this chapter, you should be able to:
- Explain different approaches to individual therapy
- Discuss how psychiatric drugs alter brain chemistry
- Understand the role of group therapy
- Relate how we determine the effectiveness of treatments
- Name biological treatments and how they work
- Define psychotherapy and discuss different types
- Compare and contrast the effectiveness of mental health treatments in relationship to cultural factors
- List ways to prevent mental disorders
You can choose to watch brief, engaging video lessons, or read the text transcripts. There are numerous self-check quizzes available to help you track your understanding. Your progress can be tracked on your Dashboard.

1. What Is Psychotherapy? - Definition, Types & Approaches
Psychotherapy is a form of treatment for patients suffering from psychological or mental health issues that affect their ability to function. Learn the definition and types of psychotherapy, and review some of the most common approaches to psychotherapy.

2. Individual Therapy: Psychodynamic, Cognitive & Behavioral
Just as there are various areas of knowledge within psychology, there are also different treatment approaches. Explore approaches to individual therapy, including psychodynamic, cognitive, behavioral, and humanistic approaches.

3. Group Therapy: Definition, Uses & Types
When a psychologist meets with a small group of patients or clients at the same time, it is commonly referred to as a group therapy session. Learn how to define group therapy, explore its uses, and review the different types of therapy available, such as support groups and couples therapy.

4. Overview of Psychiatric Drugs: History, Types & Uses
Psychiatric drugs treat symptoms by changing the levels of neurotransmitters in the brain. Learn about the history of drug use in psychiatry, types of medications, the disorders they treat, and ways psychiatric drugs impact brain chemistry.

5. Biological Therapy for Psychological Problems: Definition & Examples
Before the development of psychiatric drugs, psychological treatments often entailed biological therapy such as extreme surgical procedures. Explore examples of the different biological therapies for psychological problems, including electroconvulsive therapy, insulin shock therapy, psychosurgery, and lobotomy.

6. Measuring Psychological Treatment Effectiveness
Psychological treatment effectiveness is typically measured in three ways: the patient's own impression of wellness, the therapist's impression of wellness, and controlled research studies. Explore how to measure treatment effectiveness, the role of attitude and empathy, and how stigmas can make people avoid treatment.

7. Issues in Mental Health Treatment: Cultural Factors, Effectiveness & Empirical Validation
There are many reasons why psychologists cannot treat each patient or situation with the same steps. This lesson explores a few of those reasons, including cultural factors, effectiveness, and empirical validation, and how they can affect a psychologist's approach to mental health treatment.

8. Preventing Mental Disorders
This lesson goes over some of the many possible causes of mental disorders and some of the ways they can be prevented. Covered topics include the loss of family, friends, social isolation, and drug abuse.
Earning College Credit
Did you know… We have over 220 college courses that prepare you to earn credit by exam that is accepted by over 1,500 colleges and universities. You can test out of the first two years of college and save thousands off your degree. Anyone can earn credit-by-exam regardless of age or education level.
To learn more, visit our Earning Credit Page
Other Chapters
Other chapters within the AP Psychology: Exam Prep course
- AP Psychology: History and Development of Modern Psychology
- AP Psychology: Research Methods Used in the Study of Psychology
- AP Psychology: Intelligence Testing
- AP Psychology: Biology in Psychology
- AP Psychology: The 5 Senses & Psychology
- AP Psychology: Sleep and Other States of Consciousness
- AP Psychology: Learning & Conditioning
- AP Psychology: Memory & Cognition
- AP Psychology: Emotion
- AP Psychology: Motivation in Psychology
- AP Psychology: Child Development in Psychology
- AP Psychology: Personality Development and Theories
- AP Psychology: Study of Social Psychology
- AP Psychology: Abnormal Psychology
- AP Psychology: Types of Psychological Disorders
- AP Psychology: Test Strategy
- AP Psychology Flashcards