Abstract :
Aim: The study was undertaken with
the aim to investigate the applicability of
cognitive behaviour therapy in the
management of delusions and hallucinations
in patients with schizophrenia.
Method: A total of 20 patients with
schizophrenia having prominent delusions
and hallucinations were selected through
purposive sampling technique. Samples
were divided into two groups, control and
experimental, with 10 subjects in each group.
The psychotic symptom rating scale was
used for the pre and post assessment of
the severity level of the hallucinations and
delusions of patients with schizophrenia.
The individual case conceptualization was
done and then suitable cognitive behaviour
therapy techniques were used for the
management of delusions and hallucinations
of the individual cases. The commonly used
cognitive behaviour therapy techniques for
the management of delusions are socratic
questioning, downward arrow technique,
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cognitive restructuring, evidence analysis,
behavioural experiments for reality testing
of delusional beliefs and dysfunctional
thought record for identifying and avoiding
the precipitating contexts. Cognitive
restructuring techniques and coping
strategies are used for the management of
hallucinations. The Wilcoxin Signed Rank
Test used for the analysis of within group
difference and Mann Whitney U Test used
for the analysis of between group
differences.
Result: The findings suggest that
cognitive behaviour therapy is significantly
effective in reducing delusional thinking,
associated distress, beliefs and associated
distress related to hallucinations.
Conclusion: Cognitive behaviour
therapy is significantly effective to the
management of delusional thinking and
beliefs associated to hallucinations.
Keyword :
Hallucinations, Delusions, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy.