Cognitive Therapy as an alternative to antipsychotic drugs

An interesting article published in The Psychologist (vol 27 no 4) by JS, explains how cognitive therapy could potentially become an alternative to antipsychotic drugs. The ‘pioneering’ study has been led by Professor Anthony Morrison from the University of Manchester’s School of Psychological Sciences.

The researches concluded that cognitive therapy ‘seems to be a safe and acceptable alternative for people with schizophrenia spectrum disorders who have chosen not to take antipsychotic drugs. Evidence-based treatments should be available to these individuals’.

The article also recognises the need for further research as it is a relatively small study which did not include a placebo treatment.