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Effectiveness of Psychological Approaches to Psychosis

Psychosis occurs when a person loses touch with reality. Symptoms of psychosis include hallucinations (seeing something that is not there) or delusions (false beliefs about specific situations). Psychosis is often caused by a mental illness such as schizophrenia but can also be triggered by some drugs, alcohol or a physiological condition such as epilepsy. While antipsychotic drugs are the first line of treatment for psychosis, psychological approaches in the form of different types of therapy can be effective complementary therapies.

  1. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

    • According to researcher Phillippa A. Garety in the October 2003 issue of "World Psychiatry," cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is an effective psychological approach to the treatment of psychosis. Cognitive therapy is a directive approach that focuses on the connection between a person's beliefs and behaviors. Because people with psychosis often base their behaviors on false beliefs, CBT helps people with psychosis understand their own beliefs and behaviors and increase understanding of their symptoms. CBT also involves practicing new behaviors and responses, giving the person the ability to gain greater control over her illness and solidify what is learned in treatment.

    Family Therapy

    • Family interventions can help both the individual and his family cope with psychosis. Families that include a person with a psychotic disorder often deal with much fear and stigma related to the illness. Therapy gives family members a place to express their fears and learn to deal with the societal stigma associated with psychosis. It also helps them deal with the day-to-day struggles that come with having a family member with psychosis. For instance, family members learn to identify the circumstances that trigger a psychotic mood for the individual, and how to decrease these triggers.

    Psychoeducation

    • Individuals with psychosis, as well as their families, benefit from psychological interventions that include psychoeducation. Psychoeducation involves providing information about psychosis, what it is, what causes it and what types of treatment are available. Good psychoeducation is effective in helping people feel less alone or isolated in their experiences of psychosis and increases feelings of hope and self-efficacy.

    Considerations

    • For people with co-occurring disorders, different psychological approaches may be required. For instance, for a person with both schizophrenia and a substance abuse disorder, a combination of antipsychotic medicine, family therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy and motivational interviewing (an effective substance abuse therapy) work best. Specific psychological approaches may also vary depending on the phase of psychosis. Phases range from having pre-psychotic thoughts and ideas to full-blown or high-risk psychosis to post-psychotic recovery. For instance, a brief course of CBT therapy in combination with drug treatment may be most effective for a person in the early phase of psychosis.

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