Designing new psychosocial treatments for schizophrenia.
Schizophrenia is a disease characterized by cognitive, psychophysiological, and interpersonal deficits that result in a marked vulnerability to stress (Dawson and Neuchterlein 1984; Nuechterlein 1977; Strauss et al. 1987). Episodes of illness occur in vulnerable individuals who experience stressful life events (G. W. Brown and Rutter 1966; Lukoff et al. 1984) or stressful interactions with family members (G. W. Brown et al. 1972; Imber Mintz et al. 1987; Leff and Vaughn 1985). Similarly, overstimulating therapeutic environments have been shown to exacerbate psychosis (Drake and Sederer 1986; Liberman 1982; Linn et al. 1980; Van Putten 1976). A full understanding of disease-specific deficits resulting from stress and vulnerability is necessary for developing psychosocial treatment programs that augment pharmacotherapies in significantly ameliorating the symptoms and disabilities of schizophrenia.
Liberman
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RP
Camarillo/UCLA Clinical Research Center for Schizophrenia and Psychiatric Rehabilitation, West Los Angeles VA Medical Center 90073.
Corrigan
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PW
D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000628:therapy; D004651:Employment; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000534:rehabilitation* / Q000628:therapy; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D012917:Social Adjustment; D012919:Social Behavior