Schizophrenia - Psychological Therapies Flashcards
What is cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT)?
Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) – A method for treating mental disorders based on both cognitive and behavioural techniques. From the cognitive viewpoint the therapy aims to deal with thinking, such as challenging negative thoughts. The therapy also includes behavioural techniques.
What is family therapy?
Family therapy – A psychological therapy carried out with all or some members of a family with the aim of improving their communication and reducing the stress of living as a family.
What are token economies?
Token economies – A form of behavioural therapy, where desirable behaviours are encouraged by the use of selective reinforcement. For example, people are given rewards (tokens) as secondary reinforcers when they engage in correct/socially desirable behaviours. The tokens can then be exchanged for primary reinforcers – favourite foods or privileges.
What is the aim of CBT in schizophrenia?
CBT aims to help individuals identify irrational thoughts and try to change them. This often involves a discussion of how likely the person’s beliefs are to be true and a consideration of less threatening possibilities. CBT does not cure schizophrenia but helps people to better cope with it.
How can CBT help people with schizophrenia?
CBT helps individuals understand their delusions and hallucinations, challenging irrational beliefs. For instance, Turkington et al. (2004) describe how CBT can challenge beliefs and learning that their beliefs are not based in reality.
What is the purpose of family therapy in schizophrenia?
Family therapy aims to improve communication and reduce stress within families. It seeks to reduce levels of expressed emotion (EE), which can help prevent relapse. Techniques include forming alliances, reducing stress, and improving problem-solving skills.
How does token economy work for schizophrenia?
Token economies involve rewarding desirable behaviours with tokens (secondary reinforcers) that can later be exchanged for primary reinforcers, such as privileges or treats. This method aims to improve the quality of life for people with schizophrenia by reinforcing adaptive behaviours.
What is one evaluation point about the effectiveness of CBT?
Jauhar et al. (2014) reviewed 34 studies of CBT for schizophrenia and concluded that it has a significant but fairly small effect on positive and negative symptoms.
What is one evaluation point about family therapy?
Pharaoh et al. (2010) found that family therapy significantly reduces hospital readmissions over a year and improves the quality of life for family members, although evidence is often inconsistent.
What is one evaluation point about token economies?
Token economies have ethical issues, as they can discriminate against the most severely ill by making privileges conditional on behaviours they may not be able to perform.
What is one evaluation point about psychological therapies in general?
Psychological therapies improve quality of life but do not cure schizophrenia. They help individuals cope with their symptoms, but do not reduce the severity or frequency of positive or negative symptoms.
