COGNITIVE RESTRUCTURING IN THE TREATMENT OF PSYCHOTIC SYMPTOMS IN SCHIZOPHRENIA - A CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This article reviews the 15 empirical studies that have used cognitive restructuring in the treatment of schizophrenia, more specifically fo r psychotic symptoms (delusions and hallucinations). Three elements ar e considered before investigating its effectiveness: (a) if subjects a re reliably diagnosed with schizophrenia with chronic course and sever e impairment; (b) if psychotic symptoms are adequately measured; and ( c) if designs are methodologically sound. Our investigation revealed t hat schizophrenia is not reliably diagnosed and severity is low to mod erate. Assessment of psychotic symptoms is satisfactory, but assessmen t of generalization to other areas is limited. Only five studies posse ss reliable design and are performed with schizophrenia subjects. Thes e studies suggest that cognitive restructuring is effective to reduce or eliminate hallucinations or delusions in schizophrenia patients.