Cognitive behavioural Therapy

Question 1

What is CBT?

Answer 1

• A method for treating mental disorders based on both cognitive and behavioural techniques

Question 2

What is the aime of CBT?

Answer 2

• To deal with the thinking by challenging negative thoughts and beliefs to change behaviour as a response

Question 3

How long does CBT take to treat schizophrenia?

Answer 3

• 5 - 20 sessions which usually occur every 10 days

Question 4

Can schizophrenia be cured via CBT?

Answer 4

• No
• It does not get rid of symptoms if schizophrenia, but it makes patients more able to cope with them by knowing their origin by reducing stress and improving the ability to function adequately

Question 5

How does CBT work (linking to schizophrenia)?

Answer 5

• The therapy aims to identify irrational thoughts (hallucinations and delusions (positive symptoms)) and tries to modify them
• CBT assumems it is these delusional beliefs which cause schizophrenia

Question 6

How may Delusional beliefs occur?

Answer 6

• Due to incorrect interpretations the sufferer has of the world around them, themselves or other people; maladaptive behaviour; distorted perceptions of reality of how to approach problems and goals

Question 7

Give an example of how CBT works (linking to schizophrenia)?

Answer 7

• If a patient hears a voice and believes it to be that of a demon, that can be very scary
• CBT aims to explain the existence of the hallucinations and delusions to help reduce the individual’s anxiety
• If a therapist can convince the sufferer that the voice actually comes from the malfunctioning speech centre in their own brain and that it cannot hurt them if they ignore it, it is much less frightening than believing it is a demon

Question 8

How are drawings used in CBT?

Answer 8

• Used to display links between patients’ thoughts, actions and emotions to understand where symptoms may originate from which can be useful in reducing patient’s anxiety levels