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Group Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Delusions: Helping Patients Improve Reality Testing

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Group Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) was used to treat residual delusions in patients with schizophrenia. Initially all patients (N = 6) reported delusions of various types, such as persecution, body/mind control, grandiosity, and religious themes. The group format allowed patients to share their experiences and beliefs, thereby eliminating shame and providing support and coping strategies; as well as allowing for peer–peer discussion of irrationalities and inconsistencies in each other's beliefs. After 13 sessions there was a statistically significant reduction in delusional conviction, unhappiness associated with thinking about a delusion, intensity of distress associated with delusion, and an increased ability to dismiss a delusional thought.

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Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge the Weill Medical College of Cornell University and Schizophrenia Disorders Program at NYPH for research support. Special thanks to Drs. Paul Chadwick, and David Silbersweig for their creative ideas, support and encouragement.

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Correspondence to Yulia Landa.

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Landa, Y., Silverstein, S.M., Schwartz, F. et al. Group Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Delusions: Helping Patients Improve Reality Testing. J Contemp Psychother 36, 9–17 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10879-005-9001-x

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