Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) As An Effective Prevention in the Development of Psychotic Symptoms And Schizophrenia

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is psychological therapy that helps manage a patient's problems by changing how he or she thinks and acts. It is a psychotherapeutic approach commonly called a talking therapy.

CBT aims to solve problems concerning dysfunctional emotions, behaviors and cognitions through a goal-oriented, systematic procedure dwelling in the present situation rather than looking back at the past. The title is used in diverse ways to designate behavior therapy, cognitive therapy, and to refer to therapy based upon a combination of basic behavioral and cognitive research.

With CBT, the patient is encouraged to talk about his feelings and his thoughts. Topics such as how he views himself, the world and other people; how it affects his thoughs and feelings are discussed. By discussing these things, CBT helps change how the patient thinks and does which helps him or her in feeling better about life and his situation.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is used in psychological problems such as anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, eating disorders and drug misuse. It has been proven to be helpful in these situations as CBT focuses on the problems and difficulties the patient has at the present rather than issues dealt with in the past.

It looks for practical ways in which to improve the state of mind on a daily basis.

Cognitive therapy helps reduce severity of distress among psychotic patients

Cognitive therapy reduces the severity of psychotic experiences in adults who are at risk of developing conditions such as schizophrenia, a randomised controlled trial published on bmj.com claims.

Authors from several UK universities (Birmingham, Glasgow, Cambridge, Manchester and UEA), led by the University of Manchester, set out to determine whether cognitive therapy, combined with monitoring, is effective in preventing the development and worsening of psychotic symptoms which can lead to schizophrenia, in young adults who were actively seeking help and were considered at high risk of developing schizophrenia and similar serious mental disorders. Risk factors included having intermittent or very mild symptoms suggesting psychosis, or schizophrenia-like personality problems, or having at least one close relative with psychosis. Monitoring was defined as aiming to provide warm, emphatic and supportive face-to-face contact.

Cognitive Training May Lead to Neural and Behavioral Improvements in Patients with Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is defined as a mental disorder that is characterized by a breakdown of thought processes and by poor emotional responsiveness.

Schizophrenia commonly manifests itself as auditory hallucinations, paranoid or bizarre delusions, or disorganized speech and thinking, and it is accompanied by significant social or occupational dysfunction.

Schizophrenia is a complex mental disorder that makes it difficult to:

• Tell the difference between real and unreal experiences
• Think logically
• Have normal emotional responses,
• Behave normally in social situations

Mental Health experts are not sure what causes Schizophrenia. Many believe that genetic factors may have a role in it. For those genetically at risk, environmental events or situations may trigger schizophrenia.

Schizophrenia affects both men and women equally. It usually begins in the teen years or young adulthood, but may begin later in life. It tends to begin later in women, and is more mild.

A pioneering new study finds that a specific type of computerized cognitive training can lead to significant neural and behavioral improvements in individuals with schizophrenia. The research, published by Cell Press in the February 23 issue of the journal Neuron, reveals that 16 weeks of intensive cognitive training is also associated with improved social functioning several months later and may have far-reaching implications for improving the quality of life for patients suffering from neuropsychiatric illness.