CBT (psychological treatment)

Question 1

What are the aims of CBT ?

Answer 1

To change dysfunctional thought processes and resulting behaviour
Can be over a number of sessions, individually or with a group setting

Question 2

How does CBT work?

Answer 2

The sufferers learn that voice hearing is an extension of the ordinary experience of thinking works (normalisation)
Delusions can be challenged by process of reality testing with the therapist- the likelihood that the beliefs are true
As a result symptoms become less frightening and debilitating which can improve their ability to function
E.g., learning that the voices are an abnormality in Broca’s area

Question 3

Explain belief modification

Answer 3

Challenging positive symptoms through asking for evidence of their reality
1. Therapist identifies most weakly held beliefs of the patient
2. Explore the belief in a non-confrontational way by asking for evidence of the belief (e.g., ‘how do you know the doctor wants to hurt you?’)
3. Patient is encouraged to come up with their own counterarguments to begin to realise the belief is false (e.g., ‘the doctor didn’t want to hurt me until my symptoms so why would they want to hurt me?’)

Question 4

What is a strength for CBT? (research support)

Answer 4

Jauhar (2014) reviewed 34 studies using CBT with Sz
Concluded that there is clear evidence for small but significant effects on both positive and negative symptoms
Found that there was a reduction in frequency and severity of auditory hallucinations
Also clinical evidence from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence recommends CBT for Sz

Question 5

What is a limitation for CBT? (not widely applicable)

Answer 5

CBT techniques and sz symptoms vary widely
Thomas (2015) highlighted that different studies involved the use of different CBT techniques and people with different pos&neg symptoms
The overall benefits of CBT for Sz probably don’t show the different effects, varieties of CBT have on symptoms