ABSTRACT
General practitioners (GPs) are often the first clinicians to encounter patients with trigeminal neuralgia (TN). Given the gravity of the debilitating pain associated with TN, it is important for these clinicians to learn how to accurately diagnose and manage this illness. The objective of this article is to provide an up-to-date literature review regarding the presentation, classification, diagnosis, and the treatment of TN. This article also focuses on the long-term management of these patients under the care of GPs. GPs play an important role in the management of patients with TN by following the evidence-based management guidelines. The most important aspects of the management of TN are discussed in this review article.
ABSTRACT
Behavioral activation is an empirically validated treatment for depression pioneered in 1973 by Ferster, based on B.F. Skinner's behavioral principles. After publication of Beck's work on cognitive therapy, the boundaries of behavioral and cognitive therapies were blurred and the two now overlap substantially. Behavioral activation is also used as a stand-alone treatment and can also be effective in conjunction with antidepressant medication. Case conceptualization in behavioral activation entails an assessment of the behaviors that the patient has stopped that produce pleasure or are of importance, as well as behaviors essential to self-care. Activity monitoring, which provides treatment targets and leads to the case conceptualization in behavioral activation, consists of using charts, forms, or other prompts to track the relationship between activities and other variables (e.g., mood, enjoyment). That technique is also used to target rumination, procrastination, and avoidance and may also be helpful for patients with psychosis.
