Psychological treatments: CBT

Question 1

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

Answer 1

Used to treat people with SZ, 5-20 sessions.
Aim: to help people identify and challenge their irrational thoughts
Involves: Arguments of how likely a person’s beliefs are to be true, helps them consider less threatning possibilities when having delusions.
It doesn’t get rid of the symptoms but can help them cope.

Question 2

What is the therapists role in CBT

Answer 2

To make detailed evaluations of experiences and triggers, identifying strategies to cope.
The psychologist helps the patient make links between their thoughts, emotions and behaviour.

Question 3

How does CBT help

Answer 3

Helps person make sense on how their delusions and hallucinations impact their feelings and behaviour, they can understand where their symptoms are coming from and by challenging their delusions an individual can learn their beliefs aren’t based on reality.

Question 4

Strategies cognitive psychologists can use in CBT

Answer 4

These help people cope with irrational beliefs, emotions and behaviours
Positive self-talk is used when the voices are negative, belittling, accusatory
Self-distraction to use when thoughts intrude
Ways of drowning out voices when they occur like listening to music and other tasks

Question 5

AO3 - Not suitable for all patients

Answer 5

Those patients that are too agitated or paranoid to trust practitioners won’t be able to engage in CBT. More suitable for those refusing drug treatment however those patients may be highly disturbed and find it difficult to undertake CBT. Suggests CBT may not be suitable for all SZ patients so antipsychotics would be more effective.