Schizophrenia and the Role of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy in Treating it
Do schizophrenics have any hope of recovery?
Schizophrenia has been traditionally treated with antipsychotic medications so that the patient is able to mark the difference between reality and fantasy. Although schizophrenics struggle to manage their emotions, think clearly, and associate with other people, it does not mean that they are incapable of leading a meaningful life.
The good news is that schizophrenics do have a chance of improvement or recovery. Although there’s no complete cure for schizophrenia, people can manage it via medications, self-help strategies, and other supportive therapies. Such techniques can greatly help patients cope with psychotic episodes and lead a normal life.
Cognitive behavioural therapy and schizophrenia
Antipsychotic medications become essential in extreme episodes of schizophrenia. But such medications are not free of side-effects. From weight and sleep pattern changes to overall cognitive functioning, antipsychotic medications can have both positive and negative effects on the patient.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) has become a popular coping strategy for patients. CBT for treating schizophrenia became a subject only after it showed effective results in treating depression and anxiety. In fact, mental health professionals have restated that CBT, coupled with medications, can prove effective in treating schizophrenia. Many families who have a member suffering from schizophrenia believe that CBT is a crucial intervention in managing the disease.
The core of the idea of using CBT for schizophrenia is the encouragement to patients to talk about their experiences. Working together, both patient and therapist develop a model to explain their psychotic episodes. By identifying the reasons behind the psychotic episodes, the therapist provides a guided treatment to the patient. In short, CBT aims to make patients aware of their condition so that they can take self-help measures.
CBT for treating schizophrenia involve the following strategies:
- Emphasizing the general processes of dealing with psychosis, which is an adversity.
- Utilizing role playing, simulation, and overlearning in order to make patients aware of their condition.
- Using additional coping strategies for progressing towards in-vivo implementation.
- Providing new responses to existing problems.
- Using external verbalization as a coping skill
- Behavioural coping skills taught through rehearsal and practice.
Medications for treating schizophrenia don’t always work on all people. As such, cognitive behavioural therapy ensures that the negative side effects of medications are minimized while providing patients with the coping skills. In short, cognitive behavioural therapy is an effective way to show schizophrenics a ray of hope and enabling them to lead a meaningful life.
For more information, visit CBT Toronto.