Behaviour Therapy and Schizophrenia: An Introduction

Abstract

This brief article introduces a two-part series of special issues ofBehaviour Changeon the cognitive-behavioural treatment of schizophrenia. Two pervasive myths about schizophrenia inhibit effective psychological treatment and rehabilitation: (1) that schizophrenia inevitably has poor outcome, and (2) that drugs are effective in the management of schizophrenia. Neither of these myths is supported by available data. A stress–vulnerability model is described which provides a framework for understanding the variability in outcome of schizophrenia, and for conducting cognitive-behaviour therapy.