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3. Schizophrenia - The Interactionist Approach > Treating Schizophrenia > Flashcards

Flashcards in Treating Schizophrenia Deck (3)
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1
Q

How does the interactionist approach treat schizophrenia?

A

As the model acknowledges an interaction between biological and psychological factors, it is associated with combining antipsychotic medication with psychological therapies, most commonly CBT.

2
Q

EVALUATION OF THE TREATMENT OF SCHIZOPHRENIA

Is there any evidence that supports the treatment?

A

There is support for the usefulness of adopting an interactionist approach from studies combining the effectiveness of combinations of biological and psychological treatments rather than biological treatments alone.

In a study by Tarrier et al 315 patients were randomly allocated to either:
• a combination of drugs and CBT
• a combination of drugs and supportive counselling
• a control group of drugs only

They found that patients in the two combination groups showed lower symptom levels.

Studies such as this highlight a clear practical advantage to adopting an interactionist approach to treatment in the form of superior treatment outcomes and therefore highlight the importance of taking an interactionist role.

3
Q

EVALUATION OF THE DIATHESIS STRESS MODE

Is there a treatment-causation fallacy?

A

There is a logical fit between the interactionist approach and the use of combination treatments. However, the fact that combined biological and psychological treatments are more effective than either on their own does not mean the interactionist approach is correct. This error or logic is called the treatment-causation fallacy.

If excess dopamine is not the cause of schizophrenia but we are treating it with drugs then we are not treating the underlying root cause, just suppressing the symptoms.

This means that the interactionist approach might not actually be right about the causes of schizophrenia just suppressing the symptoms.