Psychological treatments Flashcards
(23 cards)
What are the three forms of psychcological treatments?
1) Cognitive behavioural therapy
2) Family therapy
3) Token economies
What is the aim of cognitive behaviour therapy in treating schizophrenia?
The aim is to help people identify irrational thoughts and change them, making them better able to cope with the symptoms of schizophrenia
What cognitive techniques are developed during CBT?
During CBT. the meaning of intrusive thoughts are challenged, there is an increase in social activity to distract from low moods and relaxation strategies are used
How can CBT help individuals with hallucinations?
CBT can offer psychological explanations for hallucinations to reduce anxiety and help individuals understand their symptoms are not caused by demons or other irrational beliefs
What is done first to the patient to make CBT more effective?
Antipsychotics are administered first to reduce psychotic thought processes so CBT can be more effective
What are the two types of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)?
There is rational emotive therapy and personal therapy
What is the primary aim of family therapy for schizophrenia?
Family therapy aims to reduce levels of expressed emotion, which can contribute to a higher risk of relapse in individuals with schizophrenia
What balance does family therapy aim to achieve for family members of individuals with schizophrenia?
Family therapy helps family members achieve a balance between caring for the individual with schizophrenia and maintaining their own lives
How does family therapy address anger and guilt in family members?
Family therapy works to reduce anger and guilt in family members by helping them understand their roles and emotions, and by improving communication within the family
What strategy does family therapy use to improve the functioning of a family with a member experiencing schizophrenia?
Some strategies include forming a therapeutic alliance with al family members, reducing the stress of caring, and improving the family’s ability to anticipate and solve problems
How does family therapy impact family members’ beliefs and behaviours towards schizophrenia?
Family therapy aims to improve families’ beliefs about and behaviours towards schizophrenia, making them supportive and understanding
What are the token economies used for in the treatment of schizophrenia?
Token economies are reward systems used to manage maladaptive behaviours in people with schizophrenia, particularly those institutionalized for long periods
What types of maladaptive behaviours are targeted by token economies?
Examples include poor hygiene or remaining in pyjamas all day
How do token economies benefit people with schizophrenia?
They improve quality of life by modifying maladaptive habits, making it more likely the person can live outside a hospital setting
How are tokens used in a token economy?
Tokens are given immediately after a desirable behaviour is performed, such as getting dressed or making a bed
Why is the immediacy of the reward important in token economies?
It prevents delay discounting, where the effectiveness of a delayed reward is reduced
What can tokens be exchanged for in token economies?
Tokens can be exchanged for tangible rewards like sweets, cigarettes or magazines or services and privileges like room cleaning or walks outside
What type of therapy is a token economy based on?
Token economies are a form of behavioural therapy based on operant conditioning
Why are tokens considered secondary reinforcers in token economies?
Tokens have no inherent value but become valuable when the patient learns they can be exchanged for rewards, the primary reinforcers
What is a limitation of CBT? (appropriate - motivation required)
Cognitive behavioural therapy is not suitable for all people especially those to paranoid to form trusting relationships with practitioners
Attendance of therapy sessions would require motivation and discipline from the sufferer
This shows this method of treatment may not be appropriate for all patients
What is a limitation of family therapies? (appropriateness - lack of motivation)
There can be an issue with family members being reluctant to share sensitive information, as it may cause or reopen family tensions.
Some family members may also be reluctant to talk about or even admit their problems, lowering the effectiveness of the treatment.
It can also be argued, this treatment lack appropriateness as the time needed from the family members may prove inconvenient, further requiring more motivation from the family, making the treatment less likely to succeed
What is a limitation of the token economies? (ecological validity - real life no tokens)
A problem that appears with token economies is the desirable behaviour required of the patient becomes dependent on being reinforced.
Once patients are released back into the community, reinforcements stop which leads to high re - admittance rates. The benefits of this strategy therefore do not generalise to real life.
What is a limitation of cognitive behavioural therapy? (therapist training + appropriate - motivation)
For CBT to be effective, therapist training is very important. Successful treatment is dependent on respect, unconditional positive regard and developing empathy.
Rathod et al found that non - Afro Caribbean therapists had less success using CBT with Afro - Caribbean patients than white ethnic patients as empathy between such therapists and patients was much harder to establish.
This shows a level of motivation is required in order for patients to receive any effective treatment, which may mean this method of treatment may not be appropriate for all.
