Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Flashcards
What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)?
CBT is a form of psychotherapy that helps individuals identify and challenge negative thought patterns and behaviors, aiming to improve emotional regulation and coping mechanisms.
How is CBT used to treat schizophrenia?
CBT helps patients with schizophrenia recognize and modify delusions, hallucinations, and other cognitive distortions, promoting better coping strategies.
What are the cognitive techniques used in CBT for schizophrenia?
Cognitive restructuring: Identifying and challenging delusions and hallucinations.
Reality testing: Assessing the evidence for delusional beliefs and developing alternative interpretations.
Psychoeducation: Educating patients about the disorder and its symptoms to reduce anxiety and confusion.
What are the behavioral techniques used in CBT for schizophrenia?
Behavioral activation: Encouraging patients to engage in activities that improve mood and social interaction.
Relaxation techniques: Teaching strategies like deep breathing to manage stress and reduce anxiety.
Graded exposure: Gradual confrontation of feared situations to reduce avoidance behaviors.
What are the main goals of CBT in treating schizophrenia?
To reduce the severity of positive symptoms (delusions and hallucinations).
To improve functioning and quality of life.
To teach coping strategies for dealing with the stress of living with schizophrenia.
To promote medication adherence and prevent relapse.
How does CBT address cognitive distortions in schizophrenia?
By helping patients recognize distorted thinking patterns, such as jumping to conclusions or catastrophizing, and replacing them with more balanced thoughts.
How effective is CBT in treating schizophrenia?
CBT has been shown to significantly reduce the severity of positive symptoms (delusions, hallucinations) and improve overall functioning when combined with medication.
What research supports the effectiveness of CBT for schizophrenia?
Tarrier et al. (2004): Found that CBT significantly reduced positive symptoms and improved social functioning in patients with schizophrenia compared to standard care.
Jauhar et al. (2014): Conducted a meta-analysis showing that CBT reduced positive symptoms, such as delusions and hallucinations, and also had a moderate effect on negative symptoms.
How does CBT improve long-term outcomes for individuals with schizophrenia?
CBT helps patients develop coping skills, leading to reduced symptom severity, better medication adherence, and fewer relapses over time.
What does a typical CBT session for schizophrenia involve?
Building a therapeutic relationship: Establishing trust between the therapist and patient.
Identifying and understanding symptoms: Discussing hallucinations, delusions, and distressing thoughts.
Reality testing: Challenging beliefs by evaluating the evidence for and against delusions.
Developing coping strategies: Teaching relaxation techniques, social skills, and behavioral activation strategies.
How long does CBT typically last for schizophrenia?
CBT for schizophrenia usually involves weekly sessions for 12-20 weeks, but the length can vary depending on the individual’s needs.
What are the limitations of CBT in treating schizophrenia?
Not a cure: CBT addresses symptoms but does not cure schizophrenia.
Requires motivation: Some patients may struggle to engage with therapy, especially if they are experiencing severe symptoms or lack insight.
Limited for negative symptoms: CBT is more effective for positive symptoms (e.g., hallucinations, delusions) than for negative symptoms (e.g., social withdrawal, apathy).
Why is CBT challenging for patients with severe cognitive impairments?
Patients with significant cognitive impairments may struggle to engage with complex cognitive tasks such as recognizing and challenging delusional thoughts.
What are the criticisms of the evidence supporting CBT for schizophrenia?
Small sample sizes: Some studies have small participant groups, making it difficult to generalize findings.
Short-term effects: Some studies show that CBT is more effective in the short term, but its long-term benefits are less clear.
What are the ethical considerations when using CBT to treat schizophrenia?
Informed consent: Ensuring patients understand the therapy and its goals, particularly when they have delusions or impaired insight.
Respecting autonomy: Involving patients in decision-making about their treatment and respecting their views, even if their beliefs seem irrational.
Confidentiality: Maintaining privacy of patient information, especially since schizophrenia often carries a stigma.
