What are the psychological treatment methods for mental patients

The main psychological treatment methods for psychiatric patients include supportive psychotherapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, family therapy, psychoanalytic therapy, group therapy, etc. Psychological therapy should be selected based on the severity of the patient's condition, individual differences, and evaluation by a professional doctor.

1. Supportive psychotherapy

Supportive psychotherapy helps patients relieve emotional stress through listening, empathy, and encouragement. Suitable for patients with mild acute symptom control or social dysfunction. Therapists will guide patients to express their inner feelings, establish trust relationships, and provide practical problem-solving suggestions. This method can improve patients' self-awareness and reduce their sense of shame, but it requires long-term persistence to stabilize the effect.

2. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy intervenes in patients' erroneous cognition and behavioral patterns. By identifying automatic negative thinking and using reality testing techniques to correct the effects of delusions or hallucinations. The effect is significant for psychiatric patients with comorbidities of depression and anxiety, and medication should be used in conjunction. Typical techniques include behavioral activation, cognitive restructuring, etc., and the treatment usually requires 12-20 sessions.

3. Family therapy

Family therapy involves the patient's family members in the treatment system, improving family interaction patterns. Focus on addressing communication barriers, overprotection, or hostile attitudes, and reduce the negative impact of family environment on the condition. Role playing, homework and other methods will be used in treatment, especially for adolescent patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, which have a preventive effect on recurrence.

4. Psychoanalytic therapy

Psychoanalytic therapy explores the relationship between patients' subconscious conflicts and childhood experiences. Processing traumatic memory through techniques such as free association and dream analysis is suitable for patients with personality disorders accompanied by psychiatric symptoms. This therapy requires a high level of professionalism from therapists, requiring 3-5 high-frequency treatments per week, and the complete course of treatment may last for several years.

5. Group therapy

Group therapy establishes a social support network through the sharing of experiences among patients. Under the guidance of a therapist, engage in role training, social skills development, and other activities to help restore interpersonal communication skills. Closed groups are suitable for rehabilitation patients, while open groups are suitable for chronic patients with stable symptoms. Attention should be paid to avoiding the mutual reinforcement of negative emotions among members. During psychotherapy, it is necessary to maintain a regular schedule and moderate exercise, and family members should participate in the treatment process and learn about the disease. Avoid putting pressure on patients and create a stable and inclusive living environment. Regularly follow up to evaluate the treatment effect and adjust the treatment plan if necessary. A balanced diet and social activities can help consolidate the therapeutic effect, but it is necessary to follow medical advice to control caffeine and alcohol intake.