CBT Flashcards
Whats the procedure of CBT?
(A – activating event) The patient, along with the therapist, identifies the activating event
that appears to cause their emotional and behavioural response. = Thought Catching
(B - beliefs) The patient’s own beliefs can be explored and if group CBT occurs, they can be
normalised. Homework tasks can be given to encourage the patient to have positive
experiences, eg attend a coffee meeting with family/other sz patients.
(C - consequences) The consequences can be recognised and identified, eg aggression.
(D – disputing) Disputing occurs in conjunction with the therapist. This can be rational,
empirical and/or logical. It can also be done in group CBT sessions with contributions from
other patients.
(E – effects) The effects should be cognitive restructuring of the original beliefs should now
occur and the patient should be able to function effectively in society.
Whats the aim of CBT?
The underlying principles behind CBT is to deliver techniques to identify and manage intrusive or delusional thoughts, eventually resulting in cognitive restructuring.
A03 - Advantages of CBT over standard care
- The NICE review of treatments for schizophrenia (NICE, 2014) found consistent evidence
that, when compared with standard care (antipsychotic medication alone), CBT was effective in reducing rehospitalisation rates up to 18 months following the end of treatment. - CBT was also shown to be effective in reducing symptom severity and, when compared with patients receiving standard care, there was some evidence for improvements in social functioning.
-However, most studies of the effectiveness of CBT have been conducted with patients
treated at the same time with antipsychotic medication.
-It is difficult, therefore, to assess the effectiveness of CBT independent of antipsychotic medication.
A03 - Effectiveness
- CBT appears to be more effective when it is made available at specific stages of the disorder and when the delivery of the treatment is adjusted to the stage the individual is currently at.
- For example, Addington and Addington (2005) claim that, in the initial acute (severe) phase
of schizophrenia, self-reflection is not particularly appropriate. - Following stabilisation of the
psychotic symptoms with antipsychotic medication, however, individuals can benefit more from group-based CBT.
-This can help normalise their experience by meeting other
individuals with similar issues. Research has consistently shown that it is individuals with
more experience of their schizophrenia and a greater realisation of their problems that benefit more from individual CBT, questioning CBT as a standardised method of treatment
for all sz patients.
