CBT

Question 1

Why is CBT an option for treating SZ

Answer 1

Based around the assumption that SZs have irrational and unrealistic thought processes

Aim: help patients identify irrational/delusional thoughts change them into more rational ones via disputing (making them less threatening)

Question 2

Identification

Answer 2

Person must identify irrational thoughts E.g a paranoid delusions aliens were trying to abduct them

Question 3

Cognitive strategy - challenge thoughts via disputing

Answer 3

Psychiatrist challenges patients irrational thoughts

To find plausible or less threatning explanation

May be done through empirical disputing

So patient must provide evidence of hallucination or delusions

Question 4

How does disputing help ?

Answer 4

Therapist explains it’s just a symptoms of their sz

Offering plausible explanations for these symptoms can reduce anxiety or distress

Patients may realise their beliefs e.g delusions are not based in reality and that their thoughts are less threatening

Question 5

Behavioural strategy - distraction techniques

Answer 5

Patient could use self distraction strategies

E.g listening to music to drown out voices when they occur

Question 6

CBT Ao3 limitation

Answer 6

Requires motivation and commitment. From patients

Individuals suffering from negative symptoms of sz such avolition lack

CBT requires patient to engage with therapy positive symptoms of sz (delusions) may have lack of awareness or innacurate perception of reality

Thus in some cases CBT may only be effective when combined with ap

Because drugs help the patient to motivate themselves to attend sessions/ increase patients awareness

Thus CBT alone may not be effective treatment for all cases of sz

Question 7

CBT Ao3 strength

Answer 7

Avoids chemical dependence

CBT encourages to identify and challenge irrational/ delusional thoughts independently

Giving them control over own behaviour

Unlike drug therapy which impose chemical straitjacket as drug controls activity of nuerotransmitter in brain such as dophamine

Due to this some may prefer CBT

And some researchers argue learning skills of challenging sz symptom may be a more appropriate long-term treatment for sz

Question 8

CBT Ao3 limitation

Answer 8

Art therapy an alternate treatment

Allows patients to interpret emotions and feelings and express them without necessarily using words

Acts as a healthy form of distraction from symptoms such as hearing voices or disturbing thoughts

Which may lead to less anxiety rather than challenging thoughts as they would in CBT

Thus art therapy may be more appropriate treatment than CBT for sz

For individuals who have difficulty expressing thoughts due to negative symptoms