Reference: Agbor C, Kaur G, Soomro F M, et al. (2022) The Role of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in the Management of Psychosis. Cureus 14(9): e28884. DOI 10.7759/cureus.28884. Anti-psychotic medications for 50 years have been the standard treatment for psychosis. People diagnosed with psychosis, such as Schizophrenia and Delusional Disorder, have beliefs or see or hear things others do not. In the last 25 years, numerous studies progressively revealed the benefits of Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Psychosis (CBTp) specifically designed to treat psychosis by helping clients reappraise their thoughts and use coping strategies. Researchers from 13 research universities and health centers reviewed strong research studies with comparison groups from 2012-2022 to determine the benefits of CBTp. Results? Early intervention with CBTp in ultra-high-risk cases can prevent first psychotic episodes and improve self-esteem and coping. Clients exhibiting psychosis in CBTp improved in everyday functioning, thinking through difficult situations, sleep quality, with fewer hospitalizations but more voluntary admissions than those not receiving CBTp. Clients who resist or are nonresponsive to psychiatric medications are responsive to CBTp as well as Group CBTp. These researchers concluded that for clients with initial psychosis, CBTp is effective, but they need longer-term CBTp to maintain gains, get along socially, and make positive life choices. Communities need specialized, well-trained, available CBTp therapists as well as specialized treatment centers. Communities! Let’s make CBTp available.

Written by Juanita N. Baker, Ph.D.