Citation

Tarrier N. Behav. Change 2005; 22(3): 125-142.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2005, Australian Behaviour Modification Association, Publisher Cambridge University Press)

DOI

10.1375/bech.2005.22.3.125

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Schizophrenia is a multifaceted disorder that can affect many aspects of the sufferer's life. Recent advances in the use of cognitive-behaviour therapy as an adjunct treatment for schizophrenia have been shown to result in significant improvements in psychotic symptoms. However, to date, much less attention has been paid to other co-morbid and emotional disorders that often co-exist with psychosis and that can be a severe burden to the sufferer. This article briefly reviews clinical trials of cognitive-behavioural treatments for schizophrenia and their outcome and then goes on to describe clinically important co-morbid or associated clinical problems: social anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression and suicide risk. Because the psychotic symptoms usually receive priority, there has been little in the cognitive-behavioural literature on the nature and treatment of these co-morbid disorders. The nature of these problems and issues relating to their treatment are discussed.

Language: en

Keywords

human; age; gender; depression; schizophrenia; stress; suicide attempt; risk assessment; treatment outcome; comorbidity; posttraumatic stress disorder; emotional disorder; risk factor; review; motivation; symptomatology; fear; behavior therapy; cognitive therapy; chronic disease; functional disease; drug dependence; social phobia; disease exacerbation; patient counseling; atypical antipsychotic agent; exposure; risk reduction; diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders; behavioral research