How common are anxiety disorders in people who have schizophrenia? What treatments are recommended for patients with schizophrenia and comorbid anxiety?
Jenni Blackford
December 19, 2014
Prevalence: A recent meta-analysis of more than 4,000 patients found that 38% of patients with schizophrenia suffer from a comorbid anxiety disorder. The most common anxiety disorders are social anxiety disorder (15%), post-traumatic stress disorder (12%), obsessive-compulsive disorder (12%), and 11% for generalized anxiety disorder. One important caveat to keep in mind is that it can be challenging to determine whether anxiety symptoms are a component of the schizophrenia itself or a symptom of a comorbid anxiety disorder.
Do computer-based brain training programs improve cognitive functioning in individuals with a psychotic illness?
Neil Woodward
December 18, 2014
Many individuals with a psychotic illness experience difficulties with thinking skills such as attention and memory. These difficulties can interfere with performance at work and school. As such, alleviating cognitive impairment may improve educational and vocational performance which, in turn, might improve long term outcome. Several studies have found that computer-based brain training programs improve cognitive function in psychotic disorders. For example, several weeks of training with the online BrainHQ program developed by Posit Science can improve verbal memor
What is the gold standard intervention for vocational recovery in first episode psychosis? What are the predictors of vocational recovery?
The accepted evidence based practice for vocational recovery in first episode psychosis is supported employment, specifically the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model. (Please review for a summary about the intervention itself: http://www.centerforebp.case.edu/practices/se).