Abstract

TORALES, Julio; BARRIOS, Iván  and  CHAVEZ, Emilia. Biological (non-pharmacological) treatments in Psychiatry. Mem. Inst. Investig. Cienc. Salud [online]. 2017, vol.15, n.3, pp.99-110. ISSN 1812-9528.  https://doi.org/10.18004/mem.iics/1812-9528/2017.015(03)99-110.

Psychotropic drugs and psychotherapy are effective for many patients suffering from mental disorders or psychosocial problems. However, some patients do not respond to these interventions, so other proposals based on biological (non-pharmacological) treatments are needed. These techniques have been developed thanks to a better understanding of the neurophysiological and neuroanatomic models of mood, thought process and behavioral regulation, as well as more advanced strategies for the modification of neural activity. Based on the above, the objective of this article is to present an update on the concepts and indications of electroconvulsive therapy, brain stimulation techniques, phototherapy and therapeutic sleep deprivation.

Keywords : electroconvulsive therapy; brain stimulation; phototherapy; therapeutic sleep deprivation.

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