CBT

Question 1

Why is CBT an option for treating schizophrenia?

Answer 1

It is based around the assumption that schizophrenics have irrational and unrealistic thought processes. CBT attempts to challenge these thought processes

Question 2

What is the aim of CBT?

Answer 2

The aim of CBT is to help patients identify irrational/delusional thoughts and change them into more rational ones via disputing

Question 3

What is the first step of CBT?

Answer 3

Identification, this is where a patient must identify their irrational thoughts

Question 4

How does the psychiatrist challenge the patients irrational beliefs?

Answer 4

They challenge the irrational thoughts in order to encourage the patients to find a more plausible or less threatening explanation

Question 5

What is one way the psychiatrist can challenge the clients irrational thoughts?

Answer 5

Empirical disputing

Question 6

What does empirical disputing allow the therapist to do?

Answer 6

It allows the therapist to ask the patient for evidence of their delusion/hallucination

Question 7

What does disputing help patients do?

Answer 7

It helps patients understand the delusions/hallucinations are not real and the therapist could explain that it is a symptom of their schizophrenia

Question 8

How can disputing reduce anxiety?

Answer 8

It can reduce anxiety by offering more plausible explanations for symptoms

Question 9

What does disputing help patients realise?

Answer 9

It helps the patient realise their beliefs are not based in reality and that their thoughts are less threatening

Question 10

What behavioural strategies can be used?

Answer 10

The therapist could also teach the patient self-distraction strategies, for example listening to music to drown out the voices when they occur