Examining the Scope and Concept of Schema: Should We Look Beyond Cognitive Structures?

Traditionally, cognitive therapy and the cognitive-behavior therapies have focused on three levels of cognitive phenomenon: automatic thoughts, cognitive distortion, and underlying assumptions. Underlying assumptions constitute the general notion of what is referred to as "schema." Schemas have traditionally served as sort of a template for the way in which an individual views him/herself, the world, and others. In addition, a proposed model has also appeared in the professional literature that includes memory structures and multimodal representations of stored information that serve to explain the concept of schema in general. Recently, some controversial research has raised the question as to whether separate memory cell networks in the body may play an additional role beyond cognitive structures. This article reviews some of the research on the role of neuropeptides in the process of memory and emotions and raises the question of whether or not an expansion of the concept of schema should be considered. The article also discusses what scientific support exists at this time and whether we can draw any clinical implications from such a theory. The article also discusses the impact of this theory on the view of schema resistance and the role of cognitive therapy, particularly as it relates to conditions involving trauma

Examining the Scope and Concept of Schema: Should We Look Beyond Cognitive Structures?

Traditionally, cognitive therapy and the cognitive-behavior therapies have focused on three levels of cognitive phenomenon: automatic thoughts, cognitive distortion, and underlying assumptions. Underlying assumptions constitute the general notion of what is referred to as "schema." Schemas have traditionally served as sort of a template for the way in which an individual views him/herself, the world, and others. In addition, a proposed model has also appeared in the professional literature that includes memory structures and multimodal representations of stored information that serve to explain the concept of schema in general. Recently, some controversial research has raised the question as to whether separate memory cell networks in the body may play an additional role beyond cognitive structures. This article reviews some of the research on the role of neuropeptides in the process of memory and emotions and raises the question of whether or not an expansion of the concept of schema should be considered. The article also discusses what scientific support exists at this time and whether we can draw any clinical implications from such a theory. The article also discusses the impact of this theory on the view of schema resistance and the role of cognitive therapy, particularly as it relates to conditions involving trauma

Differentiating Cognitive Impairment from Symptoms of Anxiety in Postcoronary Artery Bypass Grafting Encephalopathy: A Case Report

Post-coronary artery bypass grafting encephalopathy (CABGE) is associated with cognitive decline in a significant number of post-cardiac surgery cases. Patients may experience this condition as a result of being maintained on a heart-lung machine, which is referred to as the “pump”. The pump is used to circulate oxygenated blood during heart or valve surgery and may contribute to complication with oxygen flow to the brain. In some cases, the emotional traumatic effects of CABGE may produce symptoms of anxiety that can often mimic the cognitive decline associated with cardiac bypass and use of the pump. When this is the case, cognitive–behavioral assessment may be useful in helping patients to differentiate symptoms generated by anxiety from those produced by the effects of the pump. A discussion section addresses further implications of such overlapping symptoms and therapeutic strategies for treatment and remediation, along with the potential adverse effects that may occur through psychotherapy

Differentiating cognitive impairment from symptoms of anxiety in postcoronary artery bypass grafting encephalopathy: a case report

Post-coronary artery bypass grafting encephalopathy (CABGE) is associated with cognitive decline in a significant number of post-cardiac surgery cases. Patients may experience this condition as a result of being maintained on a heart-lung machine, which is referred to as the “pump”. The pump is used to circulate oxygenated blood during heart or valve surgery and may contribute to complication with oxygen flow to the brain. In some cases, the emotional traumatic effects of CABGE may produce symptoms of anxiety that can often mimic the cognitive decline associated with cardiac bypass and use of the pump. When this is the case, cognitive–behavioral assessment may be useful in helping patients to differentiate symptoms generated by anxiety from those produced by the effects of the pump. A discussion section addresses further implications of such overlapping symptoms and therapeutic strategies for treatment and remediation, along with the potential adverse effects that may occur through psychotherapy

O papel dos processos neurobiológicos na terapia de casal cognitivo-comportamental

Recently, the professional literature about couple relationships has been focused on the effect of genetics and neurobiology on interactional couple dynamics. Specific attention has been given to how emotional and behavioral patterns are affected by neurobiological components. This article provides a brief overview of this emergent issue. It also enlightens how neuropsychobiological processes can be crucial, in combination with cognitivebehavioral techniques, for helping some couples to deal with relational problems. A discussion section provides considerations for future research and development.Récemment, la littérature professionnelle sur les relations de couple a porté sur l’effet que la génétique et la neurobiologie ont sur la dynamique interactionnel du couple. Une attention particulière a été accordée à savoir comme sont affectés les aspects émotionnels et comportementaux par les components neurobiologiques. Cet article fournit un bref aperçu de la littérature sur ce sujet et présente brève exemples illustratifs sur la validité des processus neuropsychobiologiques, en combinaison avec les techniques cognitives-comportementales, pour aider certain couples a s’occuper des problèmes relationnelles. La discussion met en évidence des considérations futures pour la recherche et de développement dans ce domaine.Recentemente, a literatura especializada sobre as relações de casal tem-se focado nos efeitos que a genética e a neurobiologia têm nas dinâmicas interaccionais. Tem sido dada uma atenção especial à forma como os padrões emocionais e comportamentais são afectados pelos proponentes neurobiológicos. Este artigo expõe uma revisão breve da literatura sobre este tópico e apresenta exemplos breves de casos ilustrativos de que considerar os processos neurobiológicos, em conjunto com as técnicas cognitivo-comportamentais, pode ser um componente crucial para ajudar alguns casais a lidar com problemas relacionais. Na discussão, destacam-se considerações futuras para a investigação e desenvolvimento futuros nesta área

True lies: delusions and lie-detection technology

Legally relevant lying is an intentional attempt to convince another of the truth of a proposition the liar believes to be false. Delusion is an unintentional product of impaired reality testing that occurs in a range of psychiatric conditions and psychological states, some of which could be clinically subtle, since deception, truth and delusion differ in the intent rather than reality testing criterion. Deception and delusion are influenced by the degree of congruence between subjective and objective reality and are probably mutually exclusive. Thus, a delusion could lead to an objectively false statement, that could nevertheless be subjectively true and indistinguishable from truth by its psychophysiological (i.e., the polygraph) signature. This article presents a relevant case as a starting point of an examination of the current and future role of neurophysiological (i.e., functional brain imaging) measurements in the detection of deception. The authors incorporate the recent data on functional brain imaging to the neuroanatomical mechanisms of true and false recall, behavioral regulation and deception into a testable model that could redefine deception and separate it from delusions on the basis of objective functional brain imaging measures

Understanding quality of life in children with asthma and their parents: Family resources and challenges

The present research investigated the links between caregiver burden, family environment, and quality of life in 97 pairs of children with asthma and one of their parents (the primary family caregiver). Using structured equation modelling, within-participant analyses showed that family environment was positively linked to quality of life for both children and parents respectively. Across-participant analyses demonstrated that parents’ positive perceptions of family environment were associated with parents’ and children’s improved quality of life. In addition, parents’ perceptions of family environment mediated the link between caregiver burden and parents’ and children’s quality of life. Implications for intervention with families are discussed in light of this study’s important results

Infidelity in Dating Relationships: Gender-Specific Correlates of Face-to-Face and Online Extradyadic Involvement

This study examined the gender-specific correlates of face-to-face and online extradyadic involvement (EDI) in dating relationships. The sample consisted of 561 women (M age = 23.19 years) and 222 men (M age = 23.97 years), all of whom reported being in an exclusive dating relationship for an average of 35 months. Participants completed the following self-report measures: Extradyadic Behavior Inventory, Attitudes toward Infidelity Scale, and Investment Model Scale. During the current relationship, men were more likely than women to report engagement in face-to-face physical/sexual EDI (23.4 vs. 15.5 %) and online sexual EDI (15.3 vs. 4.6 %). Both men and women with a history of infidelity in a prior relationship were more likely to engage in EDI. More positive attitudes toward infidelity, lower relationship satisfaction, lower commitment, and higher quality of alternatives were significantly associated with EDI, regardless of gender. Women reporting infidelity of a partner in a prior relationship were more likely to engage in face-to-face and online emotional EDI; a longer relationship and a younger age at the first sexual encounter were significant correlates of the engagement in face-to-face emotional EDI. Women with higher education were approximately three times more likely to engage in online sexual EDI. Although men and women are converging in terms of overall EDI, men still report higher engagement in physical/sexual extradyadic behaviors, and the correlates of sexual and emotional EDI vary according to gender. This study contributes to a comprehensive approach of factors influencing the likelihood of EDI and encourages future research in this area

The global popularity of Cognitive-Behavior Therapy

This article addresses the efficacy of Cognitive-Behavior Therapy and the increasing global popularity of the approach among various cultures with a broad range of emotional and behavioral disorders. The article specifically discusses future direction in the field and implications for practitioners in various cultures

Exposición a eméticos y procedimientos de desensibilización en la reducción de las náuseas y del miedo a vomitar

Un jarabe emético (USP. United States Pharmacopoeia: Farmacopea de los Estados Unidos de América) fue dosificado de acuerdo a un programa de reducción, a fin de recrear niveles graduados de náuseas en la terapia de exposición de una mujer de 34 años que desarrolló miedo a la náusea y a vomitar después de haber vomitado en el escenario durante un recital de piano. Se utilizaron dosis milimetradas acumuladas del emético para simular diferentes niveles de náusea combinados con procedimientos de desensibilización en vivo, con el fin de inducir artificialmente la anticipación del vómito. Se instruyó a la paciente en el reentrenamiento de la respiración y en técnicas de reducción de la ansiedad, tales como tragar doble, además del uso de imágenes como procedimiento para evitar reacciones a la náusea con vómito. Posteriormente, se expuso a la paciente a tocar el piano en vivo hasta que volvió a realizar con éxito recitales frente a una amplia audiencia. Los resultados en diseños de casos similares sugieren que métodos a veces artificiales pueden usarse para recrear variaciones de una situación que no puede duplicarse siempre a través de la exposición en imaginación pura o durante la exposición en vivo, especialmente cuando el estímulo involucra ciertas respuestas fisiológicas como el reflujo gástrico. El seguimiento a los dos años no arrojó indicación alguna de recaídas, pero sí el retorno al estado previo a la línea base. Palabras Clave: Miedo a la náusea. Vómito. Desensibilización. Eméticos