Treatment - Behavioral
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Choice of treatment when the depression is: less severe, less chronic, non-psychotic, prior positive response, medical contraindication to medication, patient preference, patient may require a directive technique, need to be motivated and cognitively intact (have ability to learn) to actively participate in the therapy. Even psychotic or cognitively disabled patients may be assisted to develop more adaptive behavior through the use of reinforcement principles. | |
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Goal is to substitute desired behaviors for undesirable behaviors and treatment is based on the laws of learning. Problems that result from inadequate learning can be treated through the provision necessary learning experiences. | |
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Therapist works with the patient in a program that will provide the corrective learning experience, but first they have to identify the stimulus-response connections for the patient. | |
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The therapist and the patient mutually arrive at an understanding of the problem and its development. | |
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The goal of the therapy is the reconditioning of the client’s maladaptive behavior. | |
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Length of treatment is variable and is individualized to the unique needs of the patient and depends on the level of cooperation from the patient and clinician’s judgment. | |
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Behavior therapies can be used with individuals or groups. |
