PSYCHOLOGICAL TREATMENTS FOR SCHIZOPHRENIA? CBT/SENSKY ET AL (2000)

Question 1

What is CBT?

Answer 1

A form of psychotherapy that aims to indentify, challenge, change irrational thought patterns and maladaptive behaviours, in order to improve emotional wellbeing.

Question 2

How can CBT help treat schizophrenia ? (overall)

Answer 2

• symptom managment- delusions & hallucinations.
• aim to MANAGE NOT eliminate symptoms- for example- reducing distress the symptoms cause by challenging irrational beliefs + encouraging rational thinking.

Question 3

What are some key features of CBT that would be used with a schziophrenic patient?

Answer 3

1. IDENTIFY irrational/distorted beliefs
2. CHALLENGING irrational/disorted beliefs through evidence.
3. NORMALISING experiences
4. OFFERING COPING MECHANISMS

Question 4

How can a therapist help a patient identify their irrational beliefs/thoughts?

Answer 4

• The therapist may guide the patient to examine the logic/evidence behind their thoughts:
• Keeping records/ diaries (patterns)
• Through socratic questioning

Question 5

How may a therapist guide their patient to challenge their distorted thoughts/beliefs?

Answer 5

• Socratic questioning (encourage patients to consider evidence for/against their beliefs: “What makes you think the voices are real?”
  “Could there be another explanation?”)
• Behavioural experiements- get patient to test the validity of beliefs through real-life situatiuons. If a patient believes people are watching them, they may be encouraged to go to a public place and observe what actually happens.

Question 6

How can a therapist normalise their patients experinces?

Answer 6

• Psychoeducation- Patients are taught that psychotic experiences are more common than they may think, reducing stigma and emotional distress.

Question 7

What coping strategies can the therapist offer to the patient?

Answer 7

• Techniques- socratic questioning, reframing thoughts, distractions.

Question 8

Strengths and weaknesses of using CBT as a treatment for schizophrenia.

Answer 8

• Evidence-based/proven-efficacy- sensky et al (2000)
• Weakness- not suitable for all- can be more time-consuming than medication, requires effort and motivation (avolition)

Question 9

What was the aim of Sensky et al (2000) study?