Positive psychotherapy for psychosis - A new approach of work with patients suffering from schizophrenia

Abstract

This paper describes the positive psychotherapy for psychosis (PPP) - a new approach for psychiatric rehabilitation for patients with chronic schizophrenia. Unlike some traditional methods of psychotherapy, PPP focuses on positives rather than on problems. PPP was shown in the context of other therapeutic approaches used in psychiatric rehabilitation and a mechanism of changes in the functioning and thinking of patients using this approach was described. PPP strengthens the patients' resources, including positive emotions, positive features of character, sense of life, positive relationships, and internal motivation. PPP does not suggest that other approaches are inappropriate and it is not intended to replace well-established treatments. A program of 13 PPP sessions adapted for patients with schizophrenia was also described. PPP sessions were divided into 3 thematic groups and according to the degree of difficulty: "the easiest" (savoring, positive things - sessions 1-4), "medium" (strong character traits, recognition of strengths in oneself, perceiving strengths in other people, positive communication - sessions 5-7) and "the most difficult" (bad vs. good memories, gratitude, forgiveness, hope, optimism and posttraumatic growth - sessions 8-13). The PPP has been introduced in the Day Care Department of Psychiatric Rehabilitation of the Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology in Warsaw. After 13 weeks, the initial observations were collected. They indicated that PPP can be successfully used in psychiatric rehabilitation.