Group Therapy For Schizophrenia |
Schizophrenia is an illness that requires follow-up treatment and medical care. One of the more common and effective techniques is group therapy for schizophrenia.
Some studies have shown that group therapy for schizophrenia can be up to 80 percent effective for outpatient treatment and about 67 percent effective for inpatient cases. For inpatient cases, where the approach was a long term one rather than short term, the group therapy sessions were shown to be more effective.
As is to be expected, where the groups only comprised of schizophrenic patients rather than a mixed group of patients with mixed ailments, the benefits and effectiveness were more obvious. This is simple because more focused treatments and techniques could be applied.
Typically such group therapy for schizophrenia is conducted in groups of no more than 8 patients, 5 being a good basic number to start with. It has been found that weekly sessions of about an hour to an hour and a half work well for outpatient groups. For inpatient groups, the frequency of meeting is higher, about 3 to 5 times a week. Also, the inpatient sessions tend to be shorter, from about 45 minutes to an hour.
The therapists who run these sessions are key to their success. Although it’s common to have only one therapist per group, oftentimes, having 2 therapists involved is a better approach in case the patients are particularly difficult to handle.
The better therapists are the ones that enable good discussion and engagement, and are able to encourage and be supportive, while maintaining a good degree of control over the group. Most critically, they will be able to create an environment in which the patients feel safe, and where anxiety or confrontation is minimal or non-existent.
Patient feedback has shown that discussion on managing relationships better and dealing with psychotic episodes in particular are highly valued by patients in group therapy for schizophrenia. Therapists would tend to avoid topics involving sexual issues or disagreements between group members as these tend to increase the anxiety level during the sessions, and reverse some of the progress the patients might be making in their treatment. Personal issues however are permissible.
Group therapy for schizophrenia has many benefits – patients value them, and they lower the overall cost of treatment because they result in lower rates of re-admission of patients. Such group sessions are clearly an important element in the treatment of schizophrenic cases, together with proper medication and excellent follow-up medical care.
Important Fact #1: Possible Signs Of Schizophrenia
Look out for any of the following signs of schizophrenia -- paranoia, delusions, inactivity or hyperactivity, unusual/strange or lack of emotional responses, over or under sensitivity, self-imposed social isolation, hostility, lack of interest in proper personal hygiene and extreme depression. |
Important Fact #2: Mention Of Suicide
Patients with schizophrenia are more likely to try taking their lives. At all times, take any mention of suicide by them seriously and seek medical assistance. |
Important Fact #3: Curing Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia cannot be completely cured. However medical experts will tell you that 90% of people with the disorder can look forward to recovering to a degree that will enable them to function and lead happy lives. |
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