schizophrenia- psychological therapies Flashcards
what is cognitive behavioural therapy
a method for treating mental disorders based on both cognitive and behavioural techniques
how does CBT work ?
Patients problems are based on incorrect beliefs and expectations.
CBT aims to identify and alter irrational thinking by teaching
patients how to recognise examples of dysfunctional or delusional thinking, then may receive help on how to avoid acting on these thoughts.
what is one way in cbt is used on patients in real life
ABC
A- activating event
B- beliefs about event
C- consequences of event
what is family therapy ?
a psychological therapy carried out with all or some members of the family with aim of improving their communication +
reducing stress of living
how does family therapy work ?
It helps family members achieve a balance between caring for the individual and maintaining their own lives
it reduces anger and guilt,
it improves their ability to anticipate and solve problems
forms a therapeutic alliance.
what is token economy ?
a form of behavioural therapy where desirable behaviour are encouraged by the use of selective reinforcement
how do token economies work ?
When desired behaviour is displayed eg. Getting dressed, tokens (in the form of coloured discs) are given immediately as secondary reinforcers -> exchanged for rewards eg. Sweets and cigarettes.
• This manages schizophrenia because it maintains desirable behaviour
no longer reinforces undesirable behaviour.
what is the focus of token economy
shaping and positively reinforcing desired behaviours
what is a strength for psychological treatments ? (evidence)
evidence for effectiveness
jauhar et al -> reviewed the results of 34 studies of CBT for schizophrenia
concluded-> CBT significant but fairly small effect on both positive and negative symptoms
a limitation of family therapy (contradicting)
there is contradicting evidence
pharoah et al -> concluded there is moderate evidence -> family therapy significantly reduces hospital admissions + improves quality of life for individuals and their families
results from different studies were inconsistent + problems with quality of evidence
evidence for family therapy - weak
what is limitataion of token economies ? (methodological)
methodological issues
mcMonagle and sultana completed a review or token economy -> only 3 studies in which patients had been randomly allocated to conditions)
total of 110 patients
random allocation important in matching participant in treatment + control groups
only 1/3 studies showed improvement in symptoms and none yielded useful information about behaviour change
questions effective of TE as treatment
what is a strength of psychological therapies in general ?
CBT , family therapy and token economy programmes
aim -> make schizophrenia more manageable and improve patients quality of life
eg-> CBT helps allowing patients to make sense of and in cases challenge some of their symptoms
therapies - not confused with curing schizophrenia
what are limitations of token economy programmes (ethical issues)
privileges + services -> more available for those with mild symptoms
less so -> severe symptoms
severely ill patients suffer discrimination
families challenged legality
questions appropriateness of token economy programmes as therapy
