Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) and family therapy as used in the treatment of schizophrenia
CBT helps patients challenge the distressing beliefs caused by schizophrenia. Family therapy reduces stress in the home environment to lower the chance of relapse.
Real World
The UK's NICE guidelines recommend CBT as a standard treatment alongside medication for all people with schizophrenia, reflecting clinical trial evidence that CBTp measurably reduces the distress caused by persistent hallucinations even when drugs have not eliminated them.
Exam Focus
For family therapy, specify that it targets expressed emotion (criticism, hostility, over-involvement) and link this to reduced relapse rates.
Evaluation Scaffold
A four-step framework for high-quality evaluation. Use this for 'assess', 'evaluate', and 'to what extent' questions.
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