Psychological treatments of SZ Flashcards
How many sessions does CBT normally last for?
Between 5 and 20.
What is the aim of CBT?
To help the patient identify irrational thoughts and try to change them.
How does CBT work?
-Argument and discussion about the truth of the clients beliefs and a consideration of other less threatening possibilities.
-Helps clients to make sense of how their decisions are impacting on their feelings.
What is the aim of family therapy?
Help to improve the quality of communication and interaction between family members and reduce the stress which may put a patient at risk of relapse.
Explain reducing expressed emotion.
Reducing especially negative emotions, such as anger and guilt, which create stress.
Evaluate Psychological Therapy for SZ.
-They don’t cure SZ.
They only improve the ability to live with the symptoms of SZ.
+It benefits the whole family, not just the identified patient.
Family therapy reduces relapse rates so therefore has economic benefits for the family.
+Supporting evidence for this comes from McFarlane.
Relapse rates were reduced by 50-60%. Reduced hospitalizations and therefore it is beneficial for the economy.
What is the idea of token economies based on?
A form of behavioural modification based on operant conditioning, where desirable behaviors are encouraged by the use of selective reinforcement.
How do token economies work?
Patients are given rewards (tokens) as secondary reinforcers when they engage in socially desirable behaviours.
What were the two major benefits that Matson et al identified?
-Quality of life= improves within the hospital setting.
-Normalises behaviour= encourages ‘normal’ behaviour, making it easier to adapt back into the community.
Evaluate token economies.
+Supporting evidence from Glavaki et al.
All 7 studies showed a reduction in negative symptoms, and a decline of unwanted behaviour.
-7 studies is quite a small evidence base.
There is a bias towards publishing positive and not negative findings. Could be overestimating the effectiveness.
-Ethical issues are raised.
Controls people’s behaviours and this means imposing one’s norms on others-impacts on their freedom.
