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Chapter 17: Problem 4

Describe a situation in which you believe a therapist would suggest biological therapy involving psychosurgery for a patient.

Short Answer

Expert verified
In a scenario where a patient suffers from a severe mental disorder, like life-threatening OCD, and medications or therapy have failed to produce any improvement, a therapist may suggest psychosurgery. The type of psychosurgery used in OCD treatment typically involves an Anterior Capsulotomy, which involves creating small lesions in particular brain pathways to reduce OCD symptoms.

Step by step solution

01

Understand Biological Therapy

Biological therapy refers to a range of treatments designed to address mental disorders via changing or modifying a patient's biological or physical state. These strategies can be as non-invasive as medication or as invasive as surgery.
02

Understand Psychosurgery

Psychosurgery is a kind of biological treatment that is commonly a last resort procedure used to manage severe and persistent mental disorders. This procedure involves surgical intervention on the brain, such as lobotomy, to modify behaviour and alleviate symptoms from conditions that have not responded to other varieties of treatment.
03

Situation Development and Analysis

Imagine a person suffering from severe, life-threatening Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). They have tried medication, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and other treatment alternatives. Still, their condition is unresponsive to these approaches and continues to get worse. They are unable to function in their daily life due to the intensity of their compulsions and obsessions. In this case, if deemed suitable by the treatment team and the patient, the therapist may suggest a psychosurgery known as Anterior Capsulotomy, where small lesions on certain brain pathways are performed to relieve the OCD symptoms.

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