L.O: Describe and evaluate the Psychodynamic explanation and treatment of schizophrenia The psychodynamic approach assumes that, if someone is to experience childhood trauma, this could be repressed using defence mechanisms. However, these defence mechanisms can lead to an unconscious conflict which can manifest in adulthood in the form of schizophrenic symptoms.

Explanation According to the psychodynamic approach, family relationships dramatically influence the way a growing child perceives reality. If trauma carries on into adulthood, then SZ could result. There are several family problems which are thought to contribute to the formation of schizophrenia: Schizophrenogenic Mother Double-bind Hypothesis Expressed Emotion Family Relationships

Schizophrenogenic Mother A schizophrenogenic has actions that are often contradictory – verbally accepting yet behaviourally rejecting. This can set up faulty communication between both mother and child and can lead to the onset of schizophrenia.

Study: Schofield and Balian (1959) 178 schizophrenic patients and 150 non-schizophrenics had their childhood experiences compared to see whether schizophrenics really did have more difficult childhood relationships. Results: In the quality of relationships between the parents there was no difference found. However, there was significant difference in the quality of maternal relationship: Patient’s mothers who are less likely to be affectionate are more likely to be domineering and overprotective.

Strengths of Psychodynamic Approach One strength of the psychodynamic approach is that is acknowledges the impact of the early childhood experiences on the adult personality and behaviour. Freud suggested that negative experiences as a child impacted hugely on the adult personality and could lead to mental disorders such as schizophrenia. This is a strength because it provides a complex level of insight that other approaches lack and also gives adults a reason for their irrational behaviour that can lead them to realise that the behaviour is not their fault.

Weaknesses of Psychodynamic Approach One weakness of the psychodynamic approach is that it’s deterministic. This suggests that all thoughts, behaviours and emotions are determined by our childhood experiences and unconscious mental processes. This is a weakness because it suggests we have no conscious free will over our behaviour. Another weakness of the psychodynamic approach is that it is reductionist. This reduces the main reason for our thoughts, emotions and behaviour down to childhood experiences and unconscious mental processes. This is a weakness because it does not take into account the influence of the environment, nor our biology and genetics.

Psychodynamic TREATMENT Based on 3 points Patients are unaware of their ................... conflicts They bring their conflicts into their ................. mind All symptoms are meaningful and are caused by the history of the patient The psychoanalyst aims to: Build trust with the patient and learn their history Replace their destructive consciousness with a more supportive, less destructive one Once the patient has become healthier the patient will take a more active role in his/her therapy

Evaluation of TREATMENT Limited justifiability due to the lack of evidence & lack of ability to produce experimental data due to the nature of the theory APA: psychoanalysis is only appropriate when combined with drug treatment As the treatment is expensive and only moderately effective, long term use is rare Tarrier, 1990: Can actually have negative impact on Sz patients due to over-stimulation  lead to relapse