Mindful breathing and body scanning (i.e., meditation) are utilized to activate the autonomic nervous system, enabling individuals to attain an optimal level of arousal for processing traumatic memories and emotions without suppression, dissociation, or flooding.

Mindful Breathing and Body Scanning Used in Trauma-Informed Mindfulness

Trauma-informed mindfulness may involve: 
- Guided meditations (focusing on present moment awareness, rather than sitting still)
- Gentle movement exercises 
- Didactic lecture
- Group discussions
- Observing objects, colors, shapes around oneself

Practices in Trauma-Informed Mindfulness 

In a study measuring the effectiveness of trauma-informed mindfulness in a sample of female survivors of interpersonal violence, researchers found that participants who were assigned to participate in an 8-week trauma-informed mindfulness program exhibited significantly decreased levels of posttraumatic stress symptoms, depressive symptoms, and anxious attachment compared with the group of participants who did not receive this treatment. 

Efficacy of Trauma-Informed Mindfulness in Female Survivors of Interpersonal Violence 

Psychoeducation involves providing trauma survivors with information about psychological concepts, their specific problems, and the relationships between thinking, emotion, and behavior. Psychoeducation on the physiological and emotional effect of trauma helps to normalize an individual's experience and provide insight. 

Role of Psychoeducation in Trauma-Informed Mindfulness 

Recent research suggests that mindfulness practices can sometimes cause distress and exacerbate symptoms of anxiety in individuals who have suffered trauma by becoming overwhelmed by flashbacks and heightening their emotional arousal. Sitting still is typical during meditation, however, trauma survivors may find it hard to stay still during this practice which can further worsen symptoms. 

Typical Mindfulness Can Cause Harm in Trauma Survivors

Although Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a gold standard treatment for PTSD, many individuals who suffer from trauma face many barriers when trying to access this type of care including cost, stigma, and geographic inaccessibility. Trauma-informed mindfulness may be a good treatment alternative because once learned it can be used in a variety of circumstances. 

Accessibility of Trauma-Informed Mindfulness 

Trauma-informed mindfulness is a mindfulness practice paired with trauma specific psychoeducation to facilitate awareness of and exposure to conditioned trauma responses, without avoidance or reactivity to those experiences. 

University of Illinois at Chicago

- Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
- Physiological Approaches
- Combination Approaches
- Telepsychiatry
 - Virtual Reality (VR) Intervention
- Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) 
- Neurosurgery
- Psychological Intervention
- Mind-Body Intervention
Nutraceuticals
- Psychobiotics
- Trauma-Informed Mindfulness 
- Integrative Psychotherapy 

Treatment Methods Used in Health Psychology

Kelly, A., & Garland, E. L. (2016). Trauma-informed mindfulness-based stress reduction for female survivors of interpersonal violence: Results from a stage I RCT. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 72(4), 311-328. https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.22273

Trauma-Informed Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Female Survivors of Interpersonal Violence: Results From a Stage I RCT

Pharmacotherapy is therapy using pharmaceutical drugs, as distinguished from therapy using surgery, radiation, and movement. 

Pharmacotherapy

The use of information and communication technology as means to deliver psychiatric services remotely. It may include videoconferencing, phone-based applications, asynchronous services, etc. In telepsychiatry, primary care physicians, nurse practitioners, psychologists, social workers, and nurses collaborate with psychiatrists.


Telepsychiatry

VR interventions are utilized for clinical & practical purposes, interventions cover a wide array of areas. Research suggests VR interventions compare favorable to existing treatment. 

VR interventions

Neurosurgery is a term used to refer to surgical procedures involving the nervous system. Some specific surgeries of this type are able to treat psychological illnesses.

Neurosurgery

Psychological intervention is defined as a relationship aimed at promoting a better adaptation of the individual to a given situation and thereby optimizing his or her personal resources in relation to autonomy, self-knowledge and self-help 

Psychological Intervention

Mind-body interventions are health and fitness interventions that are intended to work on a physical and mental level such as Tai Chi, Qi Gong, meditation, and yoga.

Mind-Body Intervention

The study of the use of extracts and compounds obtained from mushrooms as medicines or health-promoting agents. Mycotherapy, also known as fungal or mushroom therapy, is a branch of natural medicine exploring the therapeutic properties and potential health benefits of various mushrooms. The practice of using mushrooms for medicinal purposes has been observed in different cultures throughout history, and it continues to gain recognition and scientific interest in modern times.

Mycotherapy

References for treatment methods used in health psychology go here. 

Treatment Methods Used in Health Psychology References

Psychobiotics are beneficial bacteria (probiotics) or support for such bacteria (prebiotics) that influence bactera-brain relationships and have great therapeutic potential for the treatment of psychiatric diseases. 

Psychobiotics 

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a form of psychotherapy centered on helping clients examine and change the relationship between their thoughts and their behaviors. The primary goal is to identify and modify cognitive distortions and self-defeating actions, thereby changing not only how individuals think but also how they act in response to various situations.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a biologically based treatment for severe mental disorders, particularly severe depression that has not responded to drug therapy. The procedure involves using an electrical current to induce seizures, which helps alleviate symptoms. While the exact mechanism of action is not understood, ECT has a high success rate, with about 85% of patients showing improvement. However, due to significant side effects like memory loss associated with repeated treatments, it is typically implemented as a last resort.

Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)

In the context of addiction treatment, behavioral therapy plays a crucial role in motivating individuals to engage with their treatment program. It also equips them with practical strategies for managing cravings and preventing relapse.

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