Schizophrenia - psychological therapies

Question 1

CBT

Answer 1

cognitive behavioural therapy

Question 2

how does CBT help treat schizophrenia

Answer 2

patients identify irrational thoughts and challenge them. allows patient to understand their hallucinations and delusions and reduces their anxiety as they know they are not based in reality

Question 3

how is CBT best used to treat schizophrenia

Answer 3

in combination with medication

Question 4

two types of psychological treatments for schizophrenia

Answer 4

family therapy and CBT

Question 5

family therapy

Answer 5

aiming to improve communication within a family

Question 6

what are the range of strategies used in family therapy to help treat schizophrenia (Phoroash)

Answer 6

• aiming to reduce levels of expressed emotion and therefore negative symptoms
• improve the families ability to help the patient

Question 7

strength of CBT for schizophrenia

Answer 7

+ evidence of effectiveness. Jauhar -> clear evidence for small but sig. effect on both positive and negative symptoms. Pontillo -> reduces frequency and severity of hallucinations

Question 8

strengths of family therapy for schizophrenia

Answer 8

+ benefits all family members and makes it easier living with the person who has schizophrenia = wider impact
+ evidence of effectiveness. McFarlane -> relapse rates reduced by 50-60%. also works best when mental health initially begins declining = helpful for both early and severe schizophrenia

Question 9

limitation of CBT for schizophrenia

Answer 9

• wide range of techniques and symptoms in studies. Thomas -> dif. combinations of techniques and symptoms in each situation so difficult to say how effective it will be for each patient