Today, more patients with schizophrenia are being treated in the community, but many continue to function at a low level
Patients receiving our cognitive therapy intervention experienced improved functioning, motivation, and drive, as well as reduced positive symptoms when compared with those who received standard treatment. Patients became motivated to engage in tasks that moved them out of their withdrawn state. They also became more in touch with reality, experienced fewer hallucinations and delusions, and had less disorganization.
The treatment strategy assessed in our study triggered recovery by targeting the self-defeating and dysfunctional beliefs that inhibit patients from actively engaging in constructive activities.