Treatments for Schizophrenia (Family Therapy) Flashcards
Purpose of family therapy
Support patient take meds, help family understand disorder and how to help patientN
Why use family therapy
NICE guildelines for treating schizophrenia that family should be offered to patient during course of treatment, helps them reduce relapse and increase treatment compliance
What does family do
Talk openly about symptoms being experienced by patient
Better understanding of behaviours & symptoms cannot be controlled by patient during psychosis
Encourage patient to take meds
How can family help with treatment
Motivation from family to take drugs can help patient take them
How does it help the family
Educated on illness to break down concerns about blame for development of psychosis
Opportunity to air concerns and be supported, find solutions and develop understanding
Strength study
Goldstein and Miklowiktz (1995)
Goldstein and Miklowitz (1995) what they found
Reviewed effectiveness of family therapy
Found family intervention + medication = better at reducing relapse than meds alone
Another strength study
Pilling et al (2002)
What did Pilling (2002) find
Compared effectiveness of family therapy
Family therapy = lower relapse rated for psychosis episode and improves med compliance
Weakness practical issues
Practical issues
Patients who are suited to family programme will receive it
Treatment bias
Relies on family being open and honest and willing to work with therapist
Drop out rates
Weakness of effectivness
Not effective on its own, need meds
Not designed to relieve symptoms but reduce relapse rates
Weakness of availability
Not widely available on NHS
People don’t have access
Strength of medication and relapse rates
More positive outcomes
Less symptoms experienced
Reduced relapse rates = improves quality of life
