A01

• The aim of CBT is to change dysfunctional thoughts into more realistic alternatives, allowing improvements in the emotional and behavioural state of the patient.
• Patients are encouraged to trace back the origins of their symptoms and gain understanding of how they depvelop.
• CBT offers a range of psychological explanations for delusions which can help reduce anxiety.
• Patients are encouraged to evaluate the content of their delusions or voices and to consider ways which they can test the validity of their faulty belifs.
• Patients might be set behavioural assignments which can enable them to improve their general functioning.
• The treatment programme is intensive (about 20 hours) and is based on an individiualy tailored formulation.
• The process:

  Depvelop trust,

  Identify triggers,

  Target specific symptoms and build strategies to deal with them,

  Depvelop their own cognitive strategies such as positive self talk,

  Depvelop their own behavioural strategies such as loud music,

  Reality testing,

  Patients recieve cognitive strategies.