Emotional avoidance process in patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. New module: Emotional body's sensations and meta-cognitive work on the interpretation of delusional thinking

Abstract

IntroductionPsychological processes play a mediating role in the development of psycho-pathological disorders depending on the Kinderman's model. Excessive use of emotional avoidance becomes, following the model of Barlow and Allen, the booster of emotional distress at long term. Dysfunctional meta-cognitive processes in turn influence the inadequate interpretations of life experiences.ObjectiveTo improve identification, expression and emotional management in patients with schizophrenia (PWS) and patients with bipolar disorder (PWBD).AimsIntroduction of exposition for the emotional body's sensations. This work on emotional awareness by images and sounds prepare to role-playing and to exposure in real life.MethodsGroups of psychotherapy for adults PWS and PWBD was implemented. The techniques used are those of cognitive behavioral therapy CBT (Beck) and emotional therapies (Barlow): columns Beck tailored, role-playing, psycho-emotional and breathing. Four groups of four patients participated in six therapy sessions.ResultsAn increase in emotional flexibility is observed two weeks after the group work (Wilcoxon P = 0.025). Work on emotional identification facilitates the relaxation of the avoidance process while promoting social skills. The new format includes nine sessions three additional sessions on the emotional body sensations. Meta-cognitive work on the interpretation of the delusional thinking has been inserted.ConclusionThe experience of this pilot study provides encouraging results. The transdiagnostic approach referring to the alterations of this common psychological process finds use with PWS and PWBD.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.