Psychological therapy for schizophrenia

Question 1

What are the two psychological therapies for SZ

Answer 1

1) CBT
2) Family Therapy

Question 2

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)

Answer 2

A method of treating mental disorders based on both cognitive and behavioural techniques

Question 3

How sessions of CBT will the SZ patient undergo

Answer 3

5-20 sessions

Question 4

Aim of CBT

Answer 4

To challenge delusions in order to normalise them

Question 5

How cognitive behaviour therapy helps

Answer 5

• Help client make sense of how their irrational cognitions impact their feelings and behaviour
• Helpful with auditory hallucinations
• Tackle anxiety and depression due to them living with SZ

Question 6

How will a therapist use CBT when dealing with a patient paranoid about the mafia

(Turkington)

Answer 6

Client = Mafia are observing me to decide how to kill me

Therapist = You are obviously very frightened. There must be a good reason

Client = Do you think it’s the mafia?

Therapist = It is a possibility, but there could be another explanation. How do you know it’s the mafia?

Question 7

Cognitive behaviour therapy evaluation points- Evidence for effectiveness

Answer 7

STRENGTH

34 studies reviewed showed positive and negative symptoms improved, auditory hallucinations improved

Question 8

Cognitive behaviour therapy evaluation points- Quality of life

Answer 8

LIMITATION

Different studies focus on different CBT techniques so it is not clear

Question 9

Family therapy

Answer 9

A psychological therapy carried out with all or some members of the family with the aim of improving the communications within the family and reducing the stress of living as a family

Question 10

What are the two ways in which family therapy helps

Answer 10

1) Reduces negative emotion
2) Improves ability to help

Question 11

Reduces negative emotion

Answer 11

Family therapy aims to decrease levels of expressed emotion and reduce levels of stress. This will reduces the likelihood of a relapse

Question 12

Improves ability to help

Answer 12

• Encourages family to form a therapeutic alliance
• Improves family belief about and behaviour towards SZ
• Make sure there is a balance between caring for SZ and maintaining own lives

Question 13

Burbach ‘s 7 stages of the model of practice for family therapy

Answer 13

1) Share information about SZ
2) Identify resources fam offer
3) Learn mutual understanding
4) Identify unhelpful patterns
5) Skills training (SMT)
6) Relapse prevention
7) Maintenance for the future

Question 14

Family therapy evaluation points- Evidence of effectiveness

Answer 14

STRENGTH

• Relapse rates down 50-60%
• More effective at beginning of symptoms

Question 15

Family therapy evaluation points- Benefits to whole family

Answer 15

STRENGTH

Reduces negative impact on family and strengthens ability of family to support the identified patient