Effectiveness

• Research support for effectiveness


  • McFarlane - most consistently effective treatment for schizophrenia
  • Relapse rates decreased by 50-60%
  • NICE recommends family therapy to all patients with schizophrenia
  • Therefore, likely to benefit those with early signs and full-blown schizophrenia
• Benefits all family members


  • Lobban and Barrowclough - families provide most care for schizophrenia patients
  • Family therapy lessens impact of schizophrenia on all parties
  • Therefore, wider impacts beyond the patient
• Counterpoint to Lobban and Barrowclough


  • Poor methodology
  • Pharoah - increased compliance to drug therapies, family therapy alone isn't the major solution