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Biofeedback (BF) techniques were developed by psychology in the 1960s having then a long history in which they have proved their usefulness and therapeutic efficacy in a considerable variety of clinical disorders: neurologic, neuromuscular, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, chronic pain, dermatological, sleep, respiratory, trauma and stress, among many other disorders. Practical applications of the BF include in particular Electroencephalographic Biofeedback (BF-EEG), known as Neurofeedback (NF), whose importance and clinical applications have grown and continue to grow rapidly thanks to the significant development in the fields of neuroscience and computer science on which NF rests. This paper describes and analyzes the technique and process of BF and NF, apart from their methodological foundations but, above all, from a critical point of view, the paper examines their main clinical applications together with the level of utility and therapeutic effectiveness currently achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper shows the effectiveness or clinical utility of trauma-focused cognitive-behavioral treatment (TF-CBT) that was delivered by videoconference in a 52 year old patient who was victim of a terrorist attack 30 years ago and suffered from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) comorbid with major depressive disorder (MDD), social phobia, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). After 36 sessions, a clinically significant decrease in posttraumatic, depressive and anxious symptomatology was obtained and remained stable in the long term. TF-CBT delivered by videoconference seems to be effective when is used with victims of terrorism suffering from PTSD and comorbid emotional disorders in the very long term, although comorbidity and chronicity seem to require an increase in the number of treatment sessions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Autogenic therapy emerges from the “autogenic training” method created by Schultz, and its development incorporates different therapeutic methods based on a psychophysiological approach. All these methods promote homeostatic self-regulatory brain processes. The aims of this paper are to describe and analyse the autogenic methods, the psychophysiological and neurophysiological processes involved, and their effective applications in both health and clinical fields. For these purposes, beside reviewing the earlier work by Schultz and Luthe, an electronic search of literature was conducted in order to find relevant contributions on these topics. Results show a big development of autogenic methods until the 80s, with an enormous amount of applications and studies on the psychophysiological and neurophysiological changes related to the practice of autogenic training. However, their expansion during the last 25 years has been much lower in comparison with other methods such as mindfulness and hypnosis. Possible causes are discussed and new challenges are suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reviews the grounds of psychosomatic principles held by different authors and analyzes the clinical case of a teenager with a number of traumatic characteristics and a sacralgia as somatic defense. A special emphasis is placed on the fear of collapse in front of repetitive circumstances --a fear that explains the characteristics of this pathology resulting from a loss of an emotionally supportive environment. The paper also shows the relevance of keeping a setting in psychosomatic patients' treatment. It also reflects on the difficulties experienced by doctors, teachers and parents in understanding body and emotional changes in adolescence that have a psychological and social impact on teenagers --who have to face a metamorphosis and the misunderstanding on the side of adults. Suggestions for the training of specialized doctors and teachers in operational, Balint and supervision groups are made. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper shows that an optimistic explanatory style consisting of taking positive situations as permanent and global attributions and negative situations as temporary and specific attributions is related significantly to lower depressive symptoms. Implications of these results are discussed in the light of the reformulated model of learned helplessness (Abramson, Seligman y Teasdale, 1978) and the hopelessness theory (Abramson, Metalsky and Alloy, 1989). The paper also suggests taking into account new constructs that can be influential, such as explanatory flexibility, self-perceived control over stressful situations and the importance given to them. Girls show a more optimistic explanatory style in preadolescence and participants older than 10 score higher in depression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reviews the results of randomized clinical trials of psychological and/or pharmacological treatments for smokers. Special attention has been devoted to subjects with or without a history of depressive disorder. A 6 to 12 months biochemically validated abstinence was used as main criterion for success. Relevant earlier reviews, meta-analyses, original articles in PsycInfo and MEDLINE databases, along with papers from Cochrane Tobacco Addiction Group were checked. Current data suggest that cognitive behavioural therapies involving mood-handling components, antidepressants bupropion and nortriptiline, and nicotine-substitution therapy can help these smokers give up smoking. Choosing the most appropriate treatment will depend on the clinical profile and needs of the individual patient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although we have made significant progress in the development of preventive tools and especially in the efficacy of the psychological treatments, we are still far from an optimal situation. This paper focuses on two major issues which we consider fundamental challenges and urges in this area: (a) the need for improving and spreading prevention, early intervention, and the promotion of mental health and (b) the need for greater dissemination of effective psychological treatments, the development of new interventions and greater understanding of the mechanisms of action of psychological treatments. The aim is to promote discussion among all stakeholders and debate on those lines we think as priority. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pathological gambling affects 0.4-1.5 percent of the global population. Therapy has proved effective, even though low therapeutic compliance and frequent withdrawals weakens good treatment results. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the relationship between social support, therapeutic adherence, and gambling cessation. Four aspects of social support were measured: cohabitation, patient's companion, commitment, and intervention with patient's companion, in a sample of 68 pathological gamblers. Results show a non-significant trend for social support and treatment compliance to be associated to treatment success. Seventy-six percent of high social support patients kept the treatment up to the end vis-à-vis 42.1% of low social support patients. Therapeutic success shows a significant relationship to a stable couple relationship. Individuals who had stable couple relationship were twice likely to finish treatment successfully. Results suggest that social support should be considered as a critical variable in pathological gambling treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The magnitude and impact of mental disorders does not correspond to the resources devoted to research and attention. Although we have made significant progress in their understanding and the efficacy of the psychological treatments, we are still far from an optimal situation. This paper focuses on one of the major issues which we consider fundamental challenges and needs in this area, the increase in research focusing on psychopathology, especially on the mechanisms and processes that explain and maintain mental disorders, as a key point for the design and development of new psychological interventions for the prevention, treatment, and promotion of mental health. The aim is to promote discussion among all stakeholders and debate on those lines we think as a priority. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prognosis, along with diagnosis and treatment, is one of the strongest pillars of clinical psychology. Among the first questions often asked when a person is diagnosed with a mental disorder is whether this disorder can be treated successfully, the likely course, and the chances of recovery. This paper poses the need and clinical utility of making predictions about prognosis, as well as its empirical support. The purpose of this study was to describe the relevant variables for the accuracy of prognostic judgments in the day-to-day practice of clinical psychology and to point out the steps to be taken in formulating the prognosis. Finally, the possible biases of clinical psychologists are considered in order to minimize and, insofar as possible, to correct them. Suggestions for future research are outlined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Therapeutic adherence is a complex and multidimensional concept. The percentage of adherence to treatments involving a change in lifestyle, such as quitting smoking, is lower than in other disorders, a fact which has relevant clinical, psychological and economic consequences. This paper aims to review the factors associated with adherence to therapy in smoking treatment. Strategies to enhance therapeutic adherence involve adequate choice of treatment, knowing the smoker's characteristics, breaking down organizational barriers in the health system and the training of health professionals in communication with patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is a review of the key role played by basic psychological processes in the current conceptualization of personality disorders, the most outstanding models, and the cognitive-behavioral therapies. Currently, there is an increasing tendency towards more dimensional approaches at the expense of more categorical ones. Basic psychological processes are more relevant for dimensional approaches. In this regard, a number of models will be described: the 7 factor model, the Big Five model, the biosocial model, and the cognitive models. Likewise, the basics of both cognitive-behavioral approaches to personality disorders will be outlined. Finally, the role of perception, attention, memory, learning, impulsivity, and the way cognitive-behavioral therapies cope with them will also be reviewed. All these processes should be given due relevance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we present the main lines driving Theodore Millon's model of personality styles and personality disorders --an integrative theoretical perspective, the author's insistence on the continuum normality-pathology and the incorporation of the principles of the Theory of Evolution. His multi-axial proposal is also analyzed, in which the interactive dynamics established between the diverse axes are underscored with special attention to the outstanding role of Axis II, Personality Disorders, in the genesis, determination, or at least precipitation of Axis I clinical syndromes --of a more transient and cross nature. This brief account is completed with a description of the characteristics of the instrument --the MCMI-III (Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory). The Spanish adaptation by the authors is available as well as a number of relevant guidelines for psychological treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Depression is one of the most common psychiatric disorders among adults and adolescents. Over the past 12 years, a significant progress in depression prevention research has taking place although many studies in this field still exhibit serious flaws. This paper discusses issues such as the choice of prevention objectives, theoretical considerations, the identification of high-risk groups, and the design of both preventive programs and their evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Positive Psychology promotes research on happiness, and the analysis of conditions that make the emergence of happiness possible. It also encourages the search of objective wellbeing-related indicators and the reinforcement of personal characteristics associated to wellbeing that involve a set of subjective experiences rated as positive. The acceptance and commitment therapy is a functional approach to psychological disorders. Since it is focused on verbal evidence, cultural assumptions have to be taken into account. This paper addresses commonalities and gaps of both approaches and especially contributions from preventive and clinical methods that allow individuals to five in harmony with human condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]