Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT)

• The aims of CBT in general are to help patients identify irrational thoughts and try to change them- this may involve discussion of how likely a patient's beliefs are to be true, and consideration of less threatening possibilities
• Patients are helped to make sense of how their delusions and hallucinations impact on their feelings and behaviour. For example, a patient may hear voices and believe they are demons so they will feel very afraid
• Offering explanations for these symptoms reduces anxiety and helps the patient realise their beliefs are not based on reality