Brain Training for Schizophrenia: Perhaps Others Could Benefit Too?
I just came across this article about recent developments in the treatment of schizophrenia. Schizophrenia is obviously a very severe and disturbing disorder both for those suffering from it and for those treating it. However, psychosis, like many things, falls on a spectrum and a disorder like schizophrenia is likely at the far end of the spectrum. But don't we all occasionally exhibit strange beliefs? Magical thinking? Difficulty screening what is salient from what is not (especially given the onslaught of digital information with which we're confronted every day!)? It seems to me that "brain training" could be a useful practice for all of us to have more successful and fulfilling lives...even if we don't suffer from hallucinations. One particular form of "brain training" is discussed in what's called Acceptance an Commitment Therapy (ACT) developed by Steven Hayes and (in its simplest form) teaches patients to accept unavoidable private events; to identify and focus on actions directed toward valued goals; and to defuse from odd cognition, just noticing thoughts rather than treating them as either true or false. This is proven to be a very powerful form of therapy for all kinds of people, but has also shown very robust results in helping those who suffer from psychotic disorders better manage their symptoms. So while not all of us fall on the far end of the psychotic spectrum, we most likely could all use some brain training to tune out distractions.