Early intervention for relapse in schizophrenia: Impact of cognitive behavioural therapy on negative beliefs about psychosis and self‐esteem

Abstract

The study provides evidence that relapse is associated with the development of negative appraisals of entrapment and self-blame (self vs. illness). In addition, this is the first study to show that CBT reduces negative appraisals of loss arising from psychosis and improvements in self-esteem. Implications for future research and treatment are discussed.

Insight into illness: Impact on diagnosis and outcome of nonaffective psychosis

“…The intervention improved insight and protected against depression at the end of therapy and after 1 year [16••]. Gumley et al [50] found that another focused form of CBTp persistently improved negative attitudes toward illness and self-esteem.…”

Schizophrenia: An Exploration of an Acceptance, Mindfulness, and Compassion‐based Group Intervention

“…Self-criticism is a defensive response to deal with feelings of shame (Gilbert, 2010), and although no other studies assessed selfcriticism, decreases in shame and self-criticism are essential in recovery and relapse prevention according to the social mentalities model for psychosis (Gumley et al, 2010). Furthermore, relapse has been associated with greater feelings of self-blame and shame (Gumley et al, 2006); therefore, intervention should focus on the activation of the safeness system (Gumley et al, 2010), which is essential for stress reduction and promotion of social bonding and affiliative behaviours (Gumley, Braehler, & Macbeth, 2014;Gumley, Taylor, Schwannauer, & Macbeth, 2014).…”

Evidence Based Psychosocial Practices and Recovery from Schizophrenia

“…CBT can be effective in reducing overall symptom ratings for acute patients (Gumley, O'Grady, & McNay, 2003;Gumley, Karatzias, & Power, 2006;Haddock & Lewis, 2005;Lewis, Tarrier, & Haddock, 2002;Rector, Seeman, & Segal, 2003;Turkington, Kingdon, & Turner, 2002). Studies also indicate that CBT for early schizophrenia results in transient but faster improvements in positive and negative symptoms and delusional beliefs (Gumley et al, 2006). Meta-analysis indicates that CBT results in declines in ratings of general psychopathology and positive symptoms (Pfammatter et al, 2006).…”

“…The effects of CBT on ratings of social and occupational functioning (Bechdolf, Kohn, & Knost, 2005;Temple & Ho, 2005), as well as rehospitalization are equivocal (Gumley, Karatzias, & Power, 2006;Startup, Jackson, & Bendix, 2004). CBT appears to be most effective early in the course of the disorder (Zimmerman, Favord, & Trieu, 2005) and may not be more effective than nonspecific counseling with other individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia (McIntosh, Conlon, & Lawrie, 2006).…”