Schizophrenia studies

Question 1

Elie Cheniaux (2009)

Answer 1

Two psychiatrists were asked to independently diagnose 100 patients using both the DSM and the ICD. Inter-rater reliability was poor, with one diagnosing 70 with schizophrenia and the other diagnosing 37.

Question 2

Tienari et al (2004)

Answer 2

Adopted children from families with schizophrenia had more chance of developing the illness than children from normal families. This supports a genetic link. However, those children from families schizophrenia were less likely to develop the illness if placed in a “good” family with kind relationships, empathy, security, etc. So environment does play a part in triggering the illness.

Question 3

Rathod et al (2005)

Answer 3

Found that non-Afro-Caribbean therapists had less success using CBT with Afro-Caribbean than with white ethnic patients, as empathy was harder to establish.

Question 4

Trower et al (2004)

Answer 4

Reported that CBT did not reduce the intensity of hallucinations but made them less of a threat, due to patients change in thinking.

Question 5

Tarrier (2005)

Answer 5

Reviewed 20 controlled trials of CBT and found evidence for reduced symptoms and lower relapse rates of acutely ill patients.

Question 6

Thornley et al (2003)

Answer 6

Meta analysis - participants treated with chlorpromazine functioned better with their symptoms and their symptoms were less severe than those treated with a placebo.

Question 7

Schooler et al (2005)

Answer 7

Found that atypical and typical antipsychotics were both effective in reducing symptoms, with 75% of patients experiencing at least 20% reduction in symptoms. 55% of those on typical relapsed, 42% of atypical relapsed, fewer side effects in atypical. Suggests atypical are superior.

Question 8

Tarrier et al (2000)

Answer 8

People with schiz receiving 20 sessions of CBT with drug therapy, did better than those only receiving drug therapy or supportive counselling.