Cognitive behaviour therapy in patients with schizophrenia who are not prescribed antipsychotic medication: a case series.
OBJECTIVE
Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) as an adjunct to medication has been shown to improve symptom management in patients with schizophrenia. However, little is understood about the value of CBT for people who are not prescribed antipsychotic medication.


METHODS
A post hoc case series design was used to examine the outcome data of three participants selected from a randomized controlled trial for CBT for schizophrenia. The participants were included if they had received CBT and were not prescribed antipsychotic medication during active treatment.


RESULTS
The three patients improved on outcome measures of psychopathology, depression, or negative symptoms, some to a clinically significant degree.


CONCLUSIONS
CBT is a feasible treatment for people with schizophrenia who are not prescribed antipsychotic medication. It may be a valuable alternative to medication in treating symptoms of schizophrenia.
Christodoulides
T
T
South of Tyne Early Intervention in Psychosis Service, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear Mental Health NHS Trust, Sunderland, UK. tom.christodoulides@stw.nhs.uk
Dudley
R
R
Brown
S
S
Turkington
D
D
Beck
Aaron T
AT
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents