Family Therapies (Psychological Treatment)

What are family therapies?

As family dysfunction can increase the risk of relapse int schizophrenia, family therapies attempt to improve the home situation of the person with schizophrenia

What is family centred?

The therapy is intended to change the behaviour of the whole family not just the person with schizophrenia

What is psychoeducation?

The family is educated on the symptoms of schizophrenia in order for them to be more understanding of their family members behaviour

Aims of family therapy…

• Reduce conflict by addressing anger within the family

• Reduce stress caused by caring responsibilities

• Reduce self sacrifice by getting carers to consider their own needs

• Improve communication by considering how to limit expressed emotion

• Improve problem solving skills by predicting problems and having solutions ready

AO3 - Leff (1985)

Looked at the aftercare of patients with schizophrenia. Of those that were provided with standard outpatient care, 50% had relapsed within 9 months. Compared to only 8% who received family therapy. However after two years with had risen to 50% with family therapy and 75% with standard outpatient care. This suggests that use of family therapy is helpful in reducing readmission in the short term, however families may not maintain positive patterns of behaviour over the longer term

AO3 - Practical issues

There are problematic practical issues such as the length of therapy. Family therapy can often take up to a year. During this time patients may drop out, especially if they have particularly severe symptoms or family incidents

AO3 - Not a cure

Family therapy is about improving symptoms, aiding the home life of the family, ultimately avoiding admission to a mental health facility. However it is not a cure for the disorder. While more manageable symptoms remain