Psychological treatment for Schizophrenia

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy:


  CBT allows patients to deal with the practical and emotional consequences of their illness. It involves:

  • Identifying irrational and unhelpful symptoms.
  • Challenges and eradicates those thoughts through arguing and disputing them.
  • Give homework to the patients to encourage growth.
• Coping Strategy Enhancement.


  A technique which aims to help schizophrenics find the best strategies to deal with their symptoms.

  The therapist and client both work together to find practical solutions.
• Evaluation of CBT:


  Research:

  • Tarrier 1975 found that 75% of patients using coping strategies such as listening to loud music or television to drown out their voices, found that these strategies were helpful in controlling symptoms.
• Evaluation of CBT:


  No Side Effects:

  • In comparison to drug therapy, CBT has no side effects such as tardive dyskinesia.
  • CBT is much more long term than drugs and allows the patient to take an active role in the clients recovery.
• Evaluation of CBT:


  Reductionist:

  • Schizophrenia is such a complex disorder that only using one method of treatment neglects other factors such as the contribution of dopamine to symptoms.
• Evaluation of CBT:


  Time consuming:

  • CBT is extremely time consuming and can take up to months for the patient to feel any relief.
  • Patients must be somewhat rational in order to go through CBT as it requires interaction and the dissection of their symptoms.
• Family Therapy


  • Family interventions use a variety of therapeutic techniques to educate and inform the patient and their family.
  • It encourages better communication and interaction between family members.
  • Can help to address high EE's such as anger or guilt.
• Evaluation of Family Therapy:


  Research:

  • Mc Farleme 2016 concluded family therapy is effective for schizophrenic family's as it reduced relapse rates by 50-60%.
• Evaluation of Family Therapy:


  Practical Applications:

  • Benefits the whole family, giving them strategies to cope with the stress.
  • Has economic implications as it allows people to functionally recover allowing them to get back to work.
  • It also relieves stress from the NHS by reducing relapse rates.
• Evaluation of Family Therapy:


  No Cure:

  • Family Therapy isn't a cure and can only work as additionally support after receiving other forms of treatment like drug therapy.
  • It doesn't get to the root of the issue rather gives you strategies to deal with your issues.