Psychodynamic Therapy Research Paper

Three current treatments for depression are medications, electric shock treatment and Psychodynamic therapy. Psychodynamic therapy is the traditional talk therapy. This form of treatment is to help depressed patients explore their emotions. This treatment comes from Freudian psychoanalysis. It is based off the theory that a person’s behavior comes from past experiences and the subconscious. This treatment takes place, normally, once a week for about an hour. These sessions are open-ended and are free association. Electric shock therapy is for the more severe cases of depression, once it is proven medications are not working. The electric shock therapy has many forms and severities. The least invasive is called transcranial magnetic stimulation
(TMS). This is where a minor current of electricity is sent through a device placed on the forehead. There is also a more severe form called Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS). This is a surgically implanted “pace-maker”. Lastly, medications called antidepressants. Finding the right medication at the right dose can be complex. A patient with heart disease will be more limited on what and how much they can take. There are placebo medications patients with minor depression can receive. Patients who have had open heart surgery always hit a state of depression after surgery. A placebo pill would be a great option for this patient. They are already on medications that would counter act the antiperspirant and the state of depression is normally temporary. So instead of causing damage with a real antidepressant, the placebo is a great treatment.