Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Patients with a First Psychotic Episode

Abstract

The search for the most effective methods of therapy for mental disorders is a priority for modern psychiatry. An approach to the early diagnostics and rehabilitation of patients experiencing psychotic episodes for the first time is proposed in the present article. The proposed approach is based on the combination of drug therapy and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) characterized by the development of the patients psychological flexibility, rather than controlling the disease symptoms. The article describes the main processes of the ACT model: acceptance, cognitive defusion, contact with the present moment, understanding of the inner world, awareness of significant values, and the regulation of purposeful behaviour for the implementation of these values. Recommendations for different stages of treatment were also developed by specialists of the First Psychotic Episode Clinic at the Mental Health Сlinic No.1 named after N.A. Alexeev. The psychological rehabilitation of patients with the use of ACT in the case of psychotic disorders with both negative and positive symptoms was elaborated. The application of acceptance and commitment therapy in the early diagnostics and treatment of patients experiencing a first psychotic episode results in fewer readmissions and improved psychosocial functioning in both inpatient and outpatient care.

Keywords

• acceptance and commitment therapy
• schizophrenia
• distress
• first psychotic episode