Psychological Treatments for Sz. Flashcards
What is the aim of CBT?
challenge irrational thoughts (e.g. hallucinations) and change them to rational ones.
How does CBT work?
The psychologist teaches the patient 3 ways to challenge their irrational thoughts.
- Logical - does it make sense?
- Empirical - where is the evidence?
- Pragmatic - how is it helping you?
Also use cognitive and behavioural strategies
cognitive - distraction, concentration on a specific task, positive self talk.
behavioural - initiation of social contact, relaxing techniques, breathing techniques.
practice/use on a daily basis.
Outline Tarrier’s research (AO2)
CBT is effective - 73% of patients said that strategies were successful in managing their symptoms.
Also developed Coping Strategy Enhancement - taught patients to develop/apply coping strategies - increasing effectiveness.
Outline Gould’s research (AO2).
Meta analysis - supports effectiveness.
significant positive effect on symptoms.
increases reliability - meta-analysis = had to find consistent results.
Evaluate CBT overall.
doesn’t get to aetiology - only deals with thoughts/controlling the symptoms. less appropriate.
appropriateness/effectiveness - takes a long time, requires commitment/motivation unlike the quick fix of drugs (easily accessible). Tarrier - 45% of sample refused to co-operate with CBT/dropped out. not appropriate for all - Sz sufferers may not have the motivation to change cognitions.
appropriate - positive symptoms (e.g. hallucinations, delusions) are cognitive - appropriate to use a cognitive therapy to challenge them. Tarrier - 75% of patients with hallucinations/delusions used cognitive based coping strategies, 3/4 found them useful. Not appropriate for negative symptoms, but recent research shows improvements in social functioning.
What is the aim of Family Therapy?
reduce the level of negative emotion (or expressed emotion) in a family.
How does Family Therapy work?
involves the family and the individual working together - gain empathy.
family provided with educational information about Sz and ways of managing it e.g. improving communication styles, lowering EE, adjusting expectations, expanding social networks (so you can meet people in a similar situation to gain support).
What are the strengths of family therapy?
Pharaoh et al - meta-analysis - family interventions effective in significantly reducing rates of relapse/admission to hospital in people with Sz.
Helps improve compliance when taking medication which helps with effective outcomes from drug therapy.
What are the weaknesses of Family Therapy?
Criticism of Pharaoh - results revealed family therapy have a wide range of less effective outcomes - findings not conclusive, lacks reliability.
Appropriateness - only suitable for patients who live with/are close to their families - not appropriate for all.
What is the aim of Social Skills Training?
teach complex interpersonal skills so that they can learn to manage their lives effectively. Practice the skills in a safe environment (e.g. role play) before they use them in the real world.
What is a strength of SST?
Avoids chemical straitjacket of drugs - gives patient the control to change their behaviour, teaching them the skills to live outside of institutions. More appropriate.
What is a weakness of SST?
Hogathy - most successful with other therapies. patients receiving a combination of medication and SST adjusted better to living in the community and avoided going back to hospital more successfully then those taking only drugs or only SST. Suggests that SST is not an effective standalone therapy.
