Interactionist approach for treating schizophrenia Flashcards
What is the interactionist approach for treating SZ?
Most of the studies we have looked at into the effectiveness of AP, CBT, family therapy as well as TE have typically utilised an interactionist approach to treatment. This means they have used a combination therapy that often involves drug therapy and psychological therapy like CBT. Drug therapy often tackles biological correlates of the condition whilst more ‘psycho-therapeutic’ approaches SIMULTANEOUSLY address the wider aspects of the condition. Eg, this could mean that patients are given antipsychotics to help reduce their psychotic symptoms which allows them to engage more fully with the demands of CBT and/or family therapy. Although this may blur the experimental effect of each treatment being used, this combined approach can deliver greater benefits to the patient e.g. reduced chance of relapse
What is the best treatment for SZ?
Research has shown that the best treatment for schizophrenia involves a combination of both biological and psychological treatments. The NICE (National Institute for Health & Care Excellence) guidelines for the treatment of schizophrenia recommends that treatment of schizophrenia should involve “the full range of psychological, pharmacological, social and occupational interventions”
What was Startup’s research?
The standard care of AP drugs and nursing care, along with up to 25 90 minute CBT sessions led to 60% clinical improvement compared to 40% in the control group who only received the standard care.
What was Leff’s research?
Used 24 pts who were on AP drugs along with educational sessions about the nature of SZ, group meetings between families and sessions with social workers. Families showed a decrease in critical comments and only 14% were readmitted to hospital compared to 78% of the control group.
INTERACTIONIST TREATMENT - Research evidence?
Tienari considered genetic risk and parenting style in a huge adoption study involving 19,000 Finnish mothers with SZ. Biological parents were assessed for rates of SZ and adoptive parents had their child-rearing styles analysed. Results showed styles that contained high levels of criticism and low empathy were implicated in the development of SZ, but only for those with a high genetic risk. Therefore both genetic risk and family related stress both cause SZ to some extent.
INTERACTIONIST TREATMENT - Further research evidence?
Garrett successfully used CBT to change a person’s mind about taking AP medication, hence reducing her symptoms of SZ. Therefore using CBT techniques can allow patients to modify their thinking about the use of AP drugs, so successful outcomes can be created by using one treatment to encourage the use of another treatment. Interactionist approach can therefore reduce relapse rates.
INTERACTIONIST TREATMENT - Effective?
Patients may still suffer side effects from AP medication, such as involuntary movements of the mouth and tongue, limbs, face, respiratory muscles, repetitive chewing, lip smacking and muscle contractions. Patients who go through CBT must still possess certain characteristics such as the ability to be self reflective in order to engage with the process. They must be able to challenge their own thoughts without becoming distressed.
INTERACTIONIST TREATMENT - Economic implications?
The use of drug treatment alongside other psychological therapies is very costly to the NHS, which is already in a financial crisis. However, psychological therapies help patients learn skills that could be reused for no extra cost if there were to be signs of relapse, so long term this could save the NHS money.
