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Understanding & Treating Mood Disorders — Causes, Symptoms, and Evidence-Based Treatments | Chapter 6 of Essentials of Abnormal Psychology Mood disorders involve profound disturbances in emotional states, from the depths of depression to the highs of mania. In Chapter 6 of Essentials of Abnormal Psychology , you’ll learn how unipolar and bipolar disorders are defined, what factors contribute to their development, and which treatments have the strongest evidence for effectiveness. This guide will help you master key concepts and prepare for exams. Watch the Chapter Summary Prefer an audio-visual overview? Subscribe to Last Minute Lecture and watch the full Chapter 6 summary below. Defining Mood Disorders Mood disorders are classified as unipolar (depression only) or bipolar (alternating depressive and manic episodes). Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) features at least two weeks of low mood, anhedonia, cognitive impairment, and physical symptoms. Persistent Depressive...

Somatic Symptom & Dissociative Disorders Explained — Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments | Chapter 5 of Essentials of Abnormal Psychology Chapter 5 of Essentials of Abnormal Psychology delves into disorders that blur the line between mind and body—somatic symptom disorders—and those that fracture identity and memory—dissociative disorders. We’ll define each disorder, explore their underlying mechanisms, and review evidence-based treatments to help you master these concepts for exams and clinical practice. Watch the Chapter Summary Prefer to learn by listening? Watch the full Chapter 5 podcast summary below—and don’t forget to subscribe to Last Minute Lecture for more chapter guides. Somatic Symptom & Related Disorders Somatic symptom disorders involve excessive focus on physical symptoms without clear medical cause. Key disorders include: Somatic Symptom Disorder (SSD): Persistent distress about physical symptoms. Treatment: Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)...

Psychological Therapies — Approaches, Effectiveness, and Treatment Methods Explained | Psychology Chapter 16 Summary This detailed summary of Chapter 16 from Principles of Psychology (13th Edition) by David G. Myers and C. Nathan DeWall explores psychological therapies, their approaches, and their effectiveness in treating mental disorders. Watch the full YouTube podcast summary for an in-depth look at therapy methods and mental health treatment. Cognitive and Behavioral Therapies Cognitive therapy focuses on modifying maladaptive thought patterns, while cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) integrates cognitive restructuring with behavioral changes. These therapies are widely used to treat anxiety, depression, and other disorders. Group and Family Therapies Group therapy provides peer support and shared experiences, while family therapy aims to improve communication and resolve conflicts within family systems. Biomedical Therapies Biomedical treatments include: ...

Defining and Comparing Psychotherapies — Chapter 1 Summary from Systems of Psychotherapy Understanding psychotherapy can feel overwhelming given the sheer number of therapeutic systems—over 500, according to John C. Norcross’s influential textbook, Systems of Psychotherapy: A Transtheoretical Analysis . This blog post expands on our podcast summary of Chapter 1 , helping students, clinicians, and anyone interested in psychology make sense of the similarities and differences between the many schools of thought in psychotherapy. Prefer to listen? Watch the video above for a concise summary, or keep reading for an in-depth breakdown. Don’t forget to subscribe to Last Minute Lecture for more expert summaries! Why Compare Psychotherapy Systems? With so many different forms of psychotherapy, confusion and fragmentation are common in the field. Comparative analysis offers a way to bring order by highlighting the essential principles that underlie effective therapy. Norcross’...

Understanding the Mind-Body Connection in Mental Health — Chapter 2 Summary from Clinical Psychopharmacology for Therapists Mental health treatment is most effective when it considers the intricate relationship between the mind and the body. In Chapter 2 of Clinical Psychopharmacology for Therapists , we explore integrated models that recognize both biological and psychological influences in the development and treatment of emotional disorders. This chapter bridges the gap between neuroscience and psychotherapy, offering valuable insights for clinicians, students, and mental health professionals. Watch the full video above to dive deeper into how biology and psychology intersect in mental health—and don’t forget to subscribe to the Last Minute Lecture YouTube channel for more academic breakdowns. Biological and Psychological Interplay in Mental Health The chapter emphasizes that emotional disorders are rarely caused by a single factor. Instead, they emerge from a dynamic inte...