New Study: Cognitive therapies ineffective for Sz.

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Mon, June 29, 2009

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I read about this recent study on the Science Daily website. I found it sobering yet I agree with it's findings. I have been fortunate enough to be in therapy for most of my illness, good times and bad. It is good for me, I think, to have someone I can talk openly about my illness/symptoms with. It's nice to talk about something most people would find bizzare and get an accepting ear. I do belive that therapy has gotten me through some of my depressive episodes without having to go into the hospital. As for the Sz symptoms, meds are the only way to normalcy for me.

At one time I was seeing some sort of neo-freudian therapist who had me convinced I was cured and should go off meds (in a controlled manner). I was flying pretty high at the time and truly believed that I'd worked through my issues and could put MI behind me.

Long story short: My good time did not last and I was forced to accept that my illness had not gone away. It ebbs and flows seemingly without reason. It saddens me, but at the same time, knowing that things will eventually get better gets me through the really rough times.

I've been with my current therapist for 5 years. He a sharp clinical guy. I call him my friend that I pay for. I'm glad that I have him for support even if he cannot cure me.

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Janet

6/29/09 4:03pm

I am glad you have found a person you like and can trust when dealing with this terrible illness. For myself I feel the sameway about my psychiatrist but I only see him once every 4 months. I can call him if the need arises.

How often do you see your therapist and how did you find your therapist.

OceanBlue

6/30/09 7:01am

I see my therapist once a week unless something comes up. I found hin through my psychiatrist. The hardest part was finding someone good who took my insurance. It's hard to find a therapist. I've found that each one has their own approach and it may or may not work for you.

It's good that your doc will talk to you when you need help. I don't know wether to congratulate or console you on seeing your doc so rarely. I hope it's because you're doing so well. My last doc wanted to see me for an hour almost every month.

Donna-1

6/29/09 9:07pm

I have had a number of therapists over the last 14 yrs. Only one would I really consider a friend, and I went to her for maybe 5 years. She did what she called "supportive therapy" meaning she would listen and offer encouragement and humor and understanding w/o judging me. A friend, as you say, that I pay for. I stopped seeing her in 2002 and would like to resume seeing her, but she no longer accepts my insurance or Medicare.

So...I started seeing a therapist who does Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. And I believe I got better results with the CBT rather than just supportive therapy because she was able to show me how my thoughts and feelings lead to my actions. And she enabled me to see how a change in how I thought about problems could lead to the results I was looking for. With her help, I was able to finally become independent. I have moved to my own apartment after living with my mother since 1997.

Carolyn

Christina Bruni

6/29/09 9:25pm

Hi OceanBlue,

The study is talked about on www.schizophrenia.com on their daily discussion group. I'll check it out now.

I currently talk with a regular therapist and this works well.

Regards,

Christina

Christina Bruni

6/30/09 10:26am

Hi everyone,

I wouldn't rule out CBT solely on the basis of an analysis of studies performed over the years. I know someone who feels she is being greatly helped by cognitive behavioral therapy. In September, I will be starting a round of CBT sessions myself and reporting here at the Connection whether it's helped me.

Christina

bipolarI

10/11/09 4:41pm

Supportive therapy is very important since without it, you will feel isolated and you may not be able to identify illogical thoughts or beliefs. I have lost many of my friends post-diagnosis and have shut out other people so my psychiatrist acts as a filter for me in addition to keeping me on track. I see him every week to two weeks for psychotherapy and medication management.

I happen to do research on SCZ (although have bipolar I, a kissing-cousin) and I can recommend two things: try to get on the new Lilly compound that is an agonist for mGluR2/3- it works and you may be able to ditch your antipsychotic; and take 1-2 RDA of vitamin C every day. I hate the vitamin freaks of the world who think everything can be cured with vitamins. However, it turns out SCZ heavily involves oxidative stress for many people (but not all people) and if you're early on into your illness, this is really something to do. It should prevent further damage for people further on but won't be AS beneficial to those early on. It's also so easy and cheap to do.

The Lilly compound is exciting as it seeks to help correct the imbalances closer to the source. One problem with using currently available antipsychotics (that act at D2 receptors) it that it really just shuts down D2 signaling everywhere. We need D2 signalling to think, remember, feel good and other traits. All of those negative symptoms you (and I) struggle with are due to a shortage of dopamine in the middle and front parts of our brain. There's no cure for this yet although I can say 1 week of low dose Adderall turned me around. I can think again and feel better although I have a small enduring oral dyskinesia and my hallucinations are back. I say it was a fair trade. Those seven days turned my world around and it's lasted for about a month so far. I don't know what it would do for one of you people but wouldn't it be great to get the dopamine flowing again?

I do wish each and every one of you the best. You people are why I do my work. Stay well and when not well, don't be afraid to ask for help.

New Study: Cognitive therapies ineffective for Sz.

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