Treatments That Work
Research-backed psychological treatments are available for most mental health concerns.
True.
True or False: If your anxiety or depression has been a major factor for most of your life, it means it will always be a major factor for most of your life.
False
True of False: Our mental and emotional heath does not require attention and care. “Normal” people can ignore their mental health and still handle their life without feeling overwhelmed or having problems.
False.
What are the four factors in the biopsychosocial-spiritual model?
Biological , psychological, social, and spiritual factors.
True or False: You can be diagnosed with major depressive disorder if you feel sad or depressed for several days in a row.
False.
What is the name of the therapeutic technique where you confront something that you’re scared of directly?
Exposure.
What is the difference between a delusion and a hallucination?
A delusion is a belief that you have that is not based in reality, and that does not change when presented with reality-based information. A hallucination is some sort of sensory experience that is not real – it can be involve any of the five senses, but the most common are visual (visions, “seeing things”) or auditory (hearing noises or voices that are not there).
True or False: Boundaries with others are always healthy and helpful.
False
True or false: Strong emotions are the #1 reason for relapses.
True.
If you have PTSD, what does your body do at night that turns regular dreams or nightmares into traumatic nightmares, where you may wake up in a cold sweat or with a racing heart?
Your body produces adrenaline when dreaming about the event.
What is the name of the skill you can develop that allows you to watch your thoughts and feelings, rather than get swept up by them?
Mindfulness
Name four of the Big 5 personality factors
Openness to experience, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Neuroticism.
Name two healthy techniques you can use to lower your level of stress and anxiety when you’re feeling anxious.
Deep breathing techniques, meditation, progressive muscle relaxation, exercise, talk with a friend, look at the situation differently (CBT intervention).
What is a “shame spiral,” and how can it trap you in addiction or turn a “lapse” into a full-blown relapse?
A shame spiral is when you feel negative, use a substance to try to feel better, but then feel shame about using and continue to use in an attempt to cope with those negative feelings.
What is the difference between guilt and shame?
Guilt is when you feel bad about something that you did. Shame is when you feel bad about who you are as a person.
What is the most commonly-prescribed medication type that works for both depression and anxiety?
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)
Name two mental health conditions that are highly biologically-based, and in most cases requires medications to properly treat or control symptoms.
Psychotic disorders (e.g., schizophrenia), mania/bipolar disorder, and ADHD. If someone answers depression give them another chance on that answer, as it’s on the borderline.
What is the alternative to judging yourself on the outcome of your behaviors or efforts?
Focusing instead on your process, rather than just on the outcome.
Why are two reasons benzodiazepines (like Valium, Xanax, Ativan, and Klonopin) are bad ideas for managing chronic anxiety, particularly for people in recovery?
1) Benzodiazepines are addictive, and 2) they take the place of learning internal coping skills.
What is the definition of a belief that is a “stuck point”?
A belief that causes emotional discomfort or harm, regardless of how accurate that belief is.
Name one of the 3 primary treatments shown by research to be effective for PTSD.
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE), or Eye-Movement Desensitization Response (EMDR)
Name three primary symptoms of borderline personality disorder.
Symptoms can include: unstable personal relationships, mood swings, intense anger, fears of being abandoned, self-harming or suicidal behavior, paranoia or difficulty with trust.
Name three techniques of the five techniques that have been identified as “mental hygiene,” and can count towards your 10 minutes per day.
Meditation, Positive Psychology interventions (e.g., gratitude exercises), Cognitive-Behavioral interventions (e.g., thought challenging), immersion in nature, and prayer.
Why is substance use linked so strongly with having experienced very upsetting or traumatic events as a child?
Symptoms of trauma, in particular, can be very disturbing and agitating on a daily (and nightly) basis. The idea of creating a period of time with relief or peace, or a night without nightmares, can be very appealing. This is particularly true for children, who have fewer emotional resources, so if you experience traumatic events as a child the option to escape from those feelings is very strong. The coping habit becomes established, and then stays through adulthood.
What is the difference between a bad memory and a traumatic memory?
Traumatic memories create an adrenaline response, causing the person to feel the physical sensation of fear or fight/flight when remembering the event.