Sz Non-Bio Treatment - CBT Flashcards
What is CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy)? (2 points)
Focuses on maladaptive thinking and how it can be readjusted through counselling
Involves weekly one-on-one/group sessions with a non-threatening, supportive therapist to rationally focus on the experiences of specific symptoms
What is a humanistic therapy?
A therapy that looks at how the core of the person (their true self) can be at odds with self-concept
How does CBT work in Sz patients? (4 points)
Raises awareness of:
+ Negative interpretations
+ Behavioural patterns that reinforce distorted thinking
Challenges delusional thinking, testing it against reality
Reattributes auditory hallucinations
+ Patients write down what they’re saying as homework
+ Therapist aims to show the patient these are self-generated
Normalises experiences by destigmatising psychotic episodes
+ Cognitive distortions are discussed
+ Relaxation techniques can be utilised (mindfulness/breathing)
How does the ABC Model apply to CBT for Sz? (4 points)
Identifies irrational beliefs (e.g. ‘My neighbor is trying to hurt me’) and persuades the patient to challenge and modify these false beliefs
Client writes down the:
Activating event
That has caused the high emotional response or negative dysfunctional thinking
Beliefs and negative thoughts
Consequences
The negative emotions that are caused by this event
What are the 4 strengths of CBT as a treatment for Sz?
Unlike anti-psychotic drugs, it:
+ Has no side effects
+ Addresses underlying reasons/causes - not just symptoms
+ Considers how the patient feels and their relationships with others - less reductionist
Supported by Freud’s ideas
+ Psychological treatment can be used to reduce depression symptoms
+ Done by talking about early childhood experiences which can cause adult mental health disorders
What are the 5 weaknesses of CBT as a treatment for Sz?
Medication like anti-psychotics may be more effective
+ Less threatening for some patients than sharing unpleasant thoughts and feelings with a therapist
+ Better for distressed or suicidal patients who need short-term help
Doesn’t always have a positive impact on mood - some people have therapy for many years and never see reduced anxiety levels
The Hawthorne effect:
+ Benefits may actually come from the supportive relationship with the therapist
+ Cause and effect cannot be established between therapy and progress
Many Sz patients drop out:
+ They need to be highly motivated - treatment is long-term as it could take time (months) to be effective
+ Needs both effort and commitment
Ellis’s proposed fourth step of ABC model
+ D for “Dispute” - therapist challenges the client’s beliefs
+ Undermines the credibility of the original model
What are the 2 supporting and 2 refuting studies for CBT as a treatment for Sz?
Supporting:
Morrison et al. (2014)
Bradshaw & Roseborough (2004)
Refuting:
Jones (2012)
Velthorst (2014)
How does Morrison et al. (2014) support CBT as a treatment for Sz?
Found cognitive therapy was just more effective atreducing psychosis symptoms than drug therapy and had lower drop-out rates
How does Bradshaw & Roseborough (2004) support CBT as a treatment for Sz? (3 points)
Carried out a meta-analysis of 22 Sz patient case studies
Found that CBT led to:
86% - improved psychosocial functioning
82% - reduced severity of symptoms
Supports the claim that CBT is effective at treating Sz
How does Jones (2012) challenge CBT as a treatment for Sz? (2 points)
Studied 20 randomized controlled trials to compare CBT with other psychosocial therapies
Found no difference was found in outcomes for patients
How does Velthorst (2014) challenge CBT as a treatment for Sz? (2 points)
Studied 30 trials with 2,312 patients that concluded CBT failed to improve Sz patients’ quality of life
Found that CBT studies focused on psychotic symptoms do not work in reducing negative symptoms
