Psychological treatments for schizophrenia

• What psychological treatments are used to manage schizophrenia?

  CBT, family therapy, and token economy
• What is the assumption behind CBT for schizophrenia?

  • Disorders arise from dysfunctional thought processes
  • CBT identifies and changes faulty cognition
  • Therapist challenges irrational beliefs logically
• What does the ABCDE framework in CBT stand for?

  Activating event, Belief, Consequence, Dispute, Effect
• In the ABCDE framework, what could be an activating event for a patient?

  Severe side effects from prescribed drugs
• How does a therapist dispute irrational beliefs in CBT?

  By using logic to convince the patient
• What is the goal of reality testing in CBT?

  To demonstrate irrational beliefs are false
• What did Zenski's study find about CBT for resistant patients?

  Improvements after an average of 19 sessions
• What did Sensing's follow-up study reveal about CBT effectiveness?

  Patients continued to improve after 9 months
• What is a criticism of CBT regarding treatment duration?

  Symptoms may worsen during long treatment
• Why might patients drop out of CBT treatment?

  Severe symptoms can hinder engagement
• What is a benefit of CBT compared to drug therapies?

  CBT does not produce side effects
• What is the aim of family therapy for schizophrenia?

  • Improve family relationships
  • Prevent relapse due to family dysfunction
  • Educate family on schizophrenia symptoms
• What is psycho-education in family therapy?

  Educating family about schizophrenia symptoms
• What are the priorities of family therapy?

  Reduce conflict, improve communication, problem-solving
• What did Left's study find about relapse rates in family therapy?

  8% relapsed with family therapy after 9 months
• What is a criticism of family therapy regarding treatment duration?

  It can take up to a year to complete
• What is the purpose of token economies in treatment?

  To reinforce desired behaviors through rewards
• How do token economies operate?

  • Use operant conditioning principles
  • Tokens are given for positive behaviors
  • Tokens can be exchanged for rewards
• What type of behaviors are targeted in token economies?

  Predefined desired behaviors by the therapist
• What is a limitation of token economies?

  They do not directly treat schizophrenia symptoms
• What ethical concern is associated with token economies?

  They may punish patients for being unwell
• What is a potential issue with using operant conditioning in token economies?

  It could be seen as degrading to patients
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of token economies?

  Strengths:

  • Improves adaptive behavior
  • Uses positive reinforcement

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Limited value as a treatment
  • Ethical concerns regarding fairness
• What is the main goal of family therapy?

  To manage schizophrenia and prevent relapse
• What is the role of the therapist in family therapy?

  To educate and facilitate communication
• How does family therapy differ from CBT?

  Family therapy focuses on the entire family
• What should be considered when using token economies?

  Only use for patients with mild symptoms
• What is the relationship between CBT and drug therapy?

  CBT is often prescribed after drugs
• What is the main focus of token economies?

  To manage patient behaviors in institutions
• What is the effect of family therapy on relapse rates?

  It significantly reduces relapse rates
• What is a potential drawback of family therapy?

  Families may struggle to maintain new skills
• What is the primary aim of family-centered therapy?

  To change the behavior of the entire family
• What is the significance of the therapist's role in token economies?

  They define target behaviors for reinforcement
• How does token economy aim to prepare patients for community living?

  By changing behavior enough for community coping
• What is a key feature of the token economy system?

  Tokens can be exchanged for rewards
• What is the role of the therapist in token economies?

  To monitor and reinforce desired behaviors
• What ethical issue arises from the use of token economies?

  Manipulating patients could be degrading