Psychological therapies for schizophrenia Flashcards
what are the three key psychological therapies used in treating and managing schizophrenia
cognitive behaviour therapy
family therapy
token economies (management)
what are the aims of CBT
aims to deal with both dysfunctional thoughts and behaviour
how does CBT help
helps clients make sense of their irrational cognitions and impact on their feelings and behaviour
understanding where symptoms come from can be hugely helpful
will not eliminate symptoms but make them easier to cope with
what methods are used in CBT
usually a period of 5-20 therapy sessions
normalisation is used, this is teaching clients who hear voices that it is an extension of the ordinary experience of thinking in words
delusions can be challenged, reality testing the likelihood that the patients delusions are true
what is the evidence of effectiveness in CBT (strength)
Jauhar et al (2014) reviewed 34 studies of using CBT for people with schizophrenia
clear evidence found for small but significant effects on positive and negative symptoms
this means both research and clinical experience support the benefits of CBT
why is the quality of evidence for CBT flawed (limitation)
there is a wide range of techniques and symptoms included in studies
Thomas (2015) points out that different studies have involved the use of different CBT techniques and people with different combos of symptoms
overall modest benefits of CBT, a wide variety of effects of different CBT techniques probably concealed
does CBT cure (discussion)
may improve quality of life but may not actually help patients
studies report significant reductions in the severity of both positive and negative symptoms
what are the aims of family therapy
aims to improve the quality of communication and interaction between family members
accounts for psychological theories like the double bind and the schizophrenogenic mother
how does family therapy help
Pharoah et al (2010) reduces negative emotions - levels of expressed emotion reduced such as anger and guilt which creates stress, which is a predominant cause of relapse
improves families ability to help - therapist tries to improve families beliefs and behaviour towards schizophrenia, ensures that family members achieve a balance between caring for the individual with schizophrenia and maintaining their own lives
what is a model of practice for working with families dealing with schizophrenia
Burbach (2018)
phase 1 - begins with sharing basic info and providing emotional and practical support
phase 2 - identifying resources including what different family members can and can’t offer
phase 3 - encourages mutual understanding and creating a safe space
phase 4 - identifying unhelpful patterns of interaction
phase 5 - skills and stress management techniques
phase 6 - relapse prevention planning
phase 7 - maintenance for the future
what is the evidence for effectiveness of family therapy (strength)
Mcfarlane (2016) concluded family therapy was one of the most consistently effective treatments available for schizophrenia
relapse rates reduced by 50-60%
clinical advice from NICE recommends family therapy for everyone with a diagnosis of schizophrenia
shows it can help people with early or ‘full-blown’ schizophrenia
how does family therapy benefit the whole family (strength)
Lobban and Barrowclough (2016) concluded that effectiveness for the whole family is important because families provide the bulk of care for people with schizophrenia
lessens negative impact of schizophrenia on other family members and strengthens support
wider benefits beyond the obvious positive impact on the identified patient
