How Is Psychotherapy Used In The Treatment Of Schizophrenia?
Question submitted March 17, 2003: How is psychotherapy used in helping an adolescent with schizophrenia? CyberShrink’s answer posted 3-17-03: Like most people, including adolescents, those who suffer from “schizophrenia” may have individual psychological and social problems that are not a direct function of schizophrenia. These problems can exacerbate the underlying schizophrenic process and affect treatment outcomes. When, with the help of antipsychotic and other psychoactive drugs, psychotic ideation and affect are diminished, the patient’s sense of reality and appropriate social contact with others is improved. That is when psychotherapy, focused on conduct and related here-and-now issues, can be of use. Realistic thinking can be reinforced and support for continuing with the prescribed medical regimen can be offered. Although many physicians and mental health professionals tend to think of some mental illnesses as being organically based while others are thought of as being proble
