Psychological Therapies 1
Psychology: AQA A Level, topic 12.2.8
Introduction to Psychological Treatments
Psychological treatments do not cure schizophrenia but try to make the condition more manageable for both sufferers and their families.
Different types of treatment
- Psychological treatments for schizophrenia include:
- Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).
- Family therapy.
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
- The aim of CBT is to help the patient to identify irrational thoughts and attempt to change them.
- This often takes the form of a discussion regarding how likely the patient's beliefs are to be true, and a consideration of other less threatening possibilities.
Family therapy
- Family therapy involves both the patient and the patient’s family and aims to improve the quality of communication within the family.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
CBT is a common treatment for schizophrenia patients, as well as a range of other conditions, including depression and anxiety.
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
- The duration of CBT is usually between five and 20 one-hour sessions (approx.). Sessions can take the form of both individual or group therapy.
- The aim of CBT is to help the patient to identify irrational thoughts and try to change them.
- This often takes the form of a discussion regarding how likely the patient's beliefs are to be true, and a consideration of other less threatening possibilities.
Aims of CBT
- A primary aim of CBT is to help patients make sense of their delusions and hallucinations and the impact they have on their behaviour.
- For example, hearing voices can be a frightening experience and CBT can help to reduce this fear.
- Additionally, challenging delusions can help the patient to see that they are not based in reality.
Evalution - Jauhar et al. (2014)
- Jauhar et al. (2014) reviewed the results of 34 studies of CBT for schizophrenia.
- They concluded that CBT has a significant but fairly small effect on both positive and negative symptoms.
Tarrier et al (2005)
- Aim: To investigate the effectiveness of CBT as a treatment for schizophrenia.
- Procedure: A meta-analysis of 14 studies of CBT published between 1990 and 2004 involving 1,484 patients.
- Results: CBT significantly reduced positive symptoms and was especially beneficial to those suffering a short-term acute schizophrenic episode.
- Conclusion: CBT is beneficial in the short-term. But is usually paired with drug treatment for maximum benefits.
Evaluation of Tarrier et al (2005)
- Strengths
- Large sample.
- Practical applications.
- Limitations
- Individual differences in patients.
- Variation in expertise of therapists.
Test yourself on Psychological Therapies 1
What is the aim of Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)?
What is NOT an aim of CBT?
Jauhar et al. (2014) reviewed the results of how many studies of CBT for schizophrenia?