Cognitive behaviour therapy

Question 1

How is CBT used

Answer 1

CBT is the main psychological treatment

• based on assumption that patients can be helped by identifying and changing their faulty cognition
• aim- help Sz to change/ challenge maladaptive thinking and distorted perceptions, seen as underpinning the disorder in order to modify hallucinations and delusional beliefs
• may involve discussion on how likely patients belief is likely to be true, and consideration of other less threatening possibilities

Question 2

How does CBT help sz

Answer 2

• helps patient make sense of how their delusions and hallucinations impact on their feeling and behaviour
• Delusions can be challenged so patients learns that their beliefs are not based on reality
• Anti-psychotics drugs are usually given first to reduce psychotic thought process, so that CBT can be more effective
• Drawing used to show the links between thoughts, actions and emotions
• Understanding where symptoms originate from is useful at reducing anxiety

Question 3

Type of CBT- personal therapy

Answer 3

• Personal Therapy is a CBT approach that involves detailed evaluation of problems and experiences, their triggers and consequences and strategies used to cope.
• These techniques are developed between patient and therapist, such as: Challenging the meaning of intrusive thoughts, using relaxation techniques

Question 4

Research for CBT- Chadwick et al (1996)- summarise

Answer 4

• Chadwick et al reported case study of Nigel- a man with Sz who believed he had the ability to predict what people were about to say. Nigel asked to prove his ‘power’ to Chadwick’s team
• they showed him over 50 video tapes of different scenarios, paused at certain intervals
• Nigel asked to predict what would happen next but he didn’t get one prediction right
• Nigel conlduded, through this reality testing form of CBT, that he didn’t hold an special power
• CBT used to identify faulty cogntiions
• shows CBT can be successful in certain situations

Question 5

Advantages of CBT

Answer 5

• Sensky et al (2000)- found CBT effective in treating patients w sz who hadn’t reported to drug treatment. Helpful w positive+negative symptoms. Patients continued to improve 9 months after treatment had ended
• CBT puts patients in charge of their own treatment by teaching them self help strategies- means there are fewer ethical issues than with other therapies

Question 6

Negatives of CBT

Answer 6

• only treats symptoms of sz- doesnt address cause
• diffult to measure effectiveness because it relies on self report and therpist opinion- so its less objective
• patients can become dependent on their therapist
• patient has to have a level of self awareness and to voluntarily participate- difficult when patient has symptoms e.g. lack of awareness or inability to engage w others
• CBT can be time intensive treatment so drop out rates can be high w severe symptoms
• individual differences- some people may not respond well to being confronted