Impact of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy on Thought and Behavioral Disorders of Schizophrenic Disorders

Doctoral Thesis / Dissertation from the year 2004 in the subject Psychology - Cognition, grade: 4, , course: psychiatric and mental health nursing, language: English, abstract: The aim of the present study was constructing a technique of cognitive behavioral therapy related to schizophrenic patients, implementing this program & finally evaluating its impact on patients¿ developing more adaptive ways of thinking & behavior and ability to acquire social skills essential for social interactions & functioning.

Schizophrenia has significant impact on patient¿s lifestyle due to its effect on patients¿ cognition, perception, attention, physical function and their psychosocial skills. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a part of treatment modalities developed recently for treating schizophrenic patients. The cognitive behavioral therapy and psychosocial intervention in many studies proved its effectiveness in preventing relapse, improving coping skills, developing better social & vocational functioning and abilities to function more independently.

The sample consisted of 40 schizophrenic patients from inpatient department of Tanta Mental Health Hospital, Ministry of Health. Five instruments were used to collect the data for the current study. Sociodemographic & personal characteristics sheet, Breif Psychiatry Rating Scale, Taylor Anxiety Manifest Scale,the arabic version of Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) developed by Mellika, and Observational Behavioral Assessment Sheet developed by Omar, 1993.

After assessment the sample was classified into two group (experimental group) & (control group). A constructed cognitive behavioral intervention was developed by the researcher &implemented with experimental group on 24 sessions, twice weekly, 45-60 minutes for each.

Data were statistically analyzed &results revealed that there was a significant difference between experimental & control group regarding their reduction of psychotic symptoms, Anxiety level & information processing. In addition to increased abilities of experimental group in social skills acquisition.

Key words: Schizophrenia, Patients, cognitive behavioral therapy, disorders, symptoms management.