ao1 family therapy

Question 1

what is family therapy?

Answer 1

• involves the whole family
• including schizophrenic patient
• involves the individual more actively in the treatment which helps to overcome the problem and reduce symptoms of paranoia

Question 2

how often do the therapist and patient meet?

Answer 2

• meet regularly with the patient and family members
• between 9 months and a year

Question 3

main aims of family therapy:

Answer 3

• reduce stress levels in families
• decrease negative forms of communication
• decrease criticism levels
• increase tolerance levels
  -decrease feelings of responsibility for causing the illness
• Increase skill development for use after therapy has ended
• increase relative’s ability to anticipate and solve problems
• decrease expressions of anger/guilt

Question 4

Altering relationships and communication patterns within dysfunctional families can help to…

Answer 4

reduce instances of double bind and the accompanying stress = reduction in symptoms e.g. disorganised speech/thoughts.

Question 5

Lowering levels of expressed emotion can help with…

Answer 5

• reducing relapse rates.
• the relatives might be asked to set reasonable expectations for the individual with schizophrenia + appropriate levels of involvement.
• reduces levels of exaggerated control and involvement by the family = decreases the stress for the sufferer + reduces symptoms like paranoid thinking associated with high EE environments.

Question 6

The reduction in stress levels within the family can..

Answer 6

• increase the chances of the patient complying with medication.
• results in a reduced likelihood of relapse and re-admission to the hospital