Outcome and Innovation in the Psychological Treatment of Schizophrenia Book

Psychological treatments for schizophrenia are increasingly popular with mental health practitioners and people with schizophrenia, and also with their families. But do they work? This book brings together some of the latest evidence for the benefits and effectiveness of these treatments over a range of problems which include cognitive deficits, delusions and hallucinations, family stress and burden, and social functioning. The editors and contributors are recognised authorities in this field. Clinical psychologists, psychiatrists, therapists and nurses will welcome this overview of some of the innovative treatments for schizophrenia which are also described and reported here: cognitive behaviour therapy, family therapy, compliance therapy, and cognitive deficits remediation. The theoretical discussion of these treatments and psychological factors which maintain symptoms can lead to further development of treatments and to a better understanding of schizophrenia. Judgements about effectiveness are complicated by the variability of outcome assessment measures. This book includes an argument for the development of a common core of assessment instruments with the addition of treatment specific instruments, to measure specific improvements and the influence on general clinical course. By showing the clinical effectiveness and economic costs/benefits of these treatments, and suggesting how these can be better measured, this volume makes a powerful contribution to the growth and practice of the psychological treatment of schizophrenia.