Week 6

Question 1

Serruya Article Main points

Answer 1

Case example of using imagery techniques to improve the efficacy of cognitive-behavioral therapy for delusions.

Found that targeting negative symptoms and poor functioning early in therapy aided the ultimate goal of helping the patient overcome delusional ideation.

Question 2

Two pronged approach in Serruya Article for delusions

Answer 2

1. target negative symptoms directly (set goals and work towards them - become more grounded and less time to dwell on psychotic symptoms)
2. direct modification of the delusions (analyzing evidence, considering alternatives, CBT, and patient begins to give up conviction of the delusion. Then add in imagery)

Question 3

reasons why imagery is helpful for delusions

Answer 3

• elicits stronger affect than verbalizations
• habituate anxiety to a tolerable level
• once anxiety decreases, gets patient to practice the skills and to re-script distressing spontaneous images into more palatable images.
• presence of therapist and use of humor