Psychological Treatments

Question 1

CBT

Answer 1

Therapist assesses patient. About understanding the condition and developing strategies to deal with it. Therapist may assign ‘homework’ in between situations. Increases self-awareness and validates patient’s feelings.

Question 2

Family therapy

Answer 2

Reduces the stress of living together as a family. Levels of expressed emotions are reduced through improving the family’s beliefs and attitudes towards SZ, reducing stress, etc. Decreases likelihood of relapse as they are more likely to be cooperative with medical advice and diligently take their meds.

Question 3

Token economies

Answer 3

Each time a patient displays a desirable behaviour, they are rewarded with a token which can be exchanged for a privilege. Patients become motivated and are more likely to display desirable behaviours for rewards, e.g. more TV time.

Question 4

• P - None of these can actually treat the patient and ‘cure’ their SZ

Answer 4

E - The therapies improve their quality of life by making symptoms more manageable.
E - CBT improves the patient’s understanding of their condition, family therapy reduces chances of relapse and token economies increase the chance of patients acting in accordance of hospital rules.
L - An interactionist approach would be better suited where both biological and psychological treatments are used.

Question 5

• P - Ethical issues

Answer 5

E - Some may argue ‘privileges’ given using token economies are actually basic human rights.
E - Preventing patients from calling home or exercising outside may increase their stress and aggravate their condition further.
L - Therefore, psychological treatments such as token economies may actually hinder a patient more than help them.