Cognitive-Behavioral Approach of Auditory Verbal Hallucinations in Schizophrenia: A Review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25752/psi.19469Keywords:
schizophrenia, psychotic disorders, hallucinations, cognitive-behavioral therapyAbstract
Introduction: Schizophrenia is a severe mental illness characterized by positive symptoms, negative symptoms, disorganization, affective disturbance and cognitive impairment. Auditory hallucinations are common in this disorder and lead to marked suffering and functional limitations. Cognitive- behavioral therapy for auditory verbal hallucinations aims to challenge erroneous beliefs the patient may hold about the voices and to replace these beliefs with more adequate ones. It is an effective therapy to complement drug treatment for auditory verbal hallucinations in schizophrenia, supported by a growing body of literature in the last decades, including recent trials and reviews.
Objectives: In this paper, we aimed to perform a review of literature regarding cognitive conceptualization and particularities of cognitive-behavioral intervention for auditory hallucinations in schizophrenia. We also considered the current limitations, efficacy and future developments of said intervention.
Methods: We performed a non-systematic review of literature in the PubMed database published between December 1st 1999 and December 1st 2019, using a combinations of the search terms “cognitive behavioral therapy”, “schizophrenia” and “hallucinations”. The included articles were selected by review of title and abstract. Reference textbooks were also reviewed.
Results and Conclusions: Cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy is useful in the management of auditory hallucinations in schizophrenia and should be part of the standard care offered by mental health services. In recent years, new therapies have been developed with good outcomes, and virtual reality has arisen as a promising tool. Further studies are needed in order to ascertain the efficacy of this recent interventions in the management of auditory hallucinations in schizophrenia.
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