Question 1: What is cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and how does it help people with anxiety or depression?

Answer: CBT is a type of talking therapy that helps individuals identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors. It helps reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression by teaching coping skills and encouraging positive thinking.

Question 2: Describe the main idea behind medication as a treatment for mental health conditions. Give an example of a common medication used for depression.

Answer: Medication involves using drugs to balance chemicals in the brain that affect mood and thoughts. An example is antidepressants, such as Prozac.

Question 3: Explain what is meant by 'exposure therapy' and provide an example of a phobia it might treat.

Answer: Exposure therapy involves gradually exposing a person to the feared object or situation in a controlled way to reduce fear. For example, it can be used to treat someone with a fear of spiders by slowly introducing them to pictures, then real spiders.

Question 4: Draw a simple diagram showing the basic steps involved in cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT).

Answer: A correct sketch should depict: 1) Identifying negative thoughts, 2) Challenging and changing these thoughts, 3) Practicing new behaviors. The diagram can be a flowchart with arrows pointing through these steps.

Question 5: Identify two advantages and two disadvantages of using medication to treat mental health conditions.

Answer: Advantages include quick symptom relief and effectiveness for some conditions. Disadvantages include potential side effects and that medication does not address underlying causes.

Question 6: What is the role of a psychologist in helping someone with depression? Mention two things they might do.

Answer: A psychologist can help by providing therapy such as CBT and offering support to change negative thought patterns and behaviors.

Question 7: Sketch a simple representation of how a therapist might help someone facing social anxiety during a session.

Answer: A correct sketch would show a therapist and a patient sitting in a room, possibly with speech bubbles indicating talking or practicing social skills.

Question 8: Describe how group therapy might benefit individuals with similar mental health issues.

Answer: Group therapy provides support from others experiencing similar problems, reduces feelings of isolation, and allows practice of social skills in a safe environment.

Question 9: Name one treatment method for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and briefly explain how it works.

Answer: Exposure and response prevention (ERP) is a treatment that gradually exposes individuals to OCD triggers while helping them resist performing compulsions, reducing anxiety over time.

Question 10: Explain why it is important to combine different treatments, such as medication and therapy, for some mental health conditions.

Answer: Combining treatments can address both biological and psychological aspects of a condition, leading to better overall improvement and reducing the risk of relapse.