Cognitive-behavioural assessment and treatment of maladaptive help-seeking behaviour in a patient with schizophrenia.
OBJECTIVE
Maladaptive help-seeking behaviour in psychiatric patients is a significant problem for public mental health services, yet it is not addressed in the mainstream literature. We present a report on the successful treatment of a person with schizophrenia who displayed this common dilemma for patients and clinicians.


METHODS
A 31-year-old man with borderline intellectual functioning had a 10-year history of schizophrenia marked by negative features. He frequently presented in crisis to public mental health services, the local hospital, and his general practitioner; this resulted in excessive use of services, including admissions.


METHODS
The patient was reassessed from a cognitive-behavioural perspective rather than a syndromal perspective. Specific behaviours were modified, cognitions were identified, challenged and restructured, and other service providers were provided with an alternative to admission or acute community care.


RESULTS
At 24 months the maladaptive behaviour remains in remission.


CONCLUSIONS
Behavioural problems in persons with chronic schizophrenia may be effectively treated by reconceptualising the behaviour as distinct from the major diagnosis.
Norris
G
G
Department of Psychology, University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. gus@psych.usyd.edu.au
Laube
R
R
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000628:therapy*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D016896:Treatment Outcome