Cognitive therapies for refractory schizophrenia

Abstract

Cognitive dysfunction and negative symptoms in schizophrenia have much more pervasive effects on functional outcome than positive symptoms. Yet most anti-psychotics address only positive symptoms and pharmacological strategies to improve cognition have yet to be fully agreed upon. Psychological approaches fare better. There is increasing evidence that cognitive remediation improves cognitive outcomes and may better functional and social outcomes. This chapter will detail the evidence for psychological approaches to cognitive and negative symptoms in schizophrenia.