Depersonalization, Psychotic Disorders
Conditions
Keywords
Randomized Controlled Trial
Brief summary
This is a feasibility trial designed to test the feasibility and acceptability of a brief form (six sessions) of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for Depersonalisation/Derealisation (DP/DR) in those individuals who also have a diagnosis of a psychotic disorder. Participants will be randomised to receive either six sessions of CBT targeting DP/DR symptoms or to a treatment as usual control condition.
Detailed description
Depersonalisation/derealisation (DP/DR) are distressing symptoms of having a sense of detachment and unreality about oneself (DP) or the external world (DR). Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) has been found to be beneficial in treating patients with chronic DP/DR. CBT for DP/DR includes educating patients about these experiences so they have a better understanding and less fear; teaching ways of coping to help them manage the symptoms better; helping reduce the impact on their day to day functioning; and working together to find less distressing ways of interpreting these experiences. Recent research has highlighted that DP/DR symptoms are common in people diagnosed with psychotic disorders, and when present are linked with more severe psychotic symptoms. However, there has been no previous study to ascertain if CBT to target DP/DR in psychosis would be effective. This study therefore aims to establish the feasibility of a brief CBT intervention for DP/DR in people diagnosed with a psychotic disorder. It is hoped that the CBT will reduce the distress associated with DP/DR experiences, with a possibility of reducing psychotic phenomena in addition. The investigators will seek to recruit adults aged 18-70 with a current psychotic symptoms as well as meeting threshold for DP/DR disorder. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive six sessions of CBT or to a treatment as usual control. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline and follow-up interview at 10 weeks.
Interventions
OTHERCBT for Depersonalization/Derealization
In addition to treatment as usual, six sessions of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Depersonalization/Derealisation covering psychoeducation, formulation, coping strategies.
OTHERTreatment as usual
Treatment as usual - in most cases case management/care coordination and may include medication
Sponsors
King's College London
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 70 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* current experience of psychotic symptoms, * meeting threshold for DP/DR disorder (scores greater than 70 on Cambridge Depersonalization Scale (CDS)).
Exclusion criteria
* insufficient capacity to provide informed consent; * insufficient proficiency in English (spoken and written) to engage in CBT; * a primary diagnosis of intellectual disability, head injury, substance misuse or organic cause for psychosis; * those currently engaging in CBT or other psychotherapy.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Feasibility of intervention ( including recruitment rates, acceptance rates, drop outs) | 10 weeks | Feasibility estimates of delivering the intervention including recruitment rates, acceptance rates, drop outs. |
| Depersonalisation score (Score on the Cambridge Depersonalisation Scale) | 10 weeks | Score on the Cambridge Depersonalisation Scale |
| Acceptability of intervention (Satisfaction and attrition rates) | 10 weeks | Satisfaction and attrition rates |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Depression (Score on Beck Depression Inventory) | 10 weeks | Score on Beck Depression Inventory |
| Anxiety (Score on Beck Anxiety Inventory) | 10 weeks | Score on Beck Anxiety Inventory |
| Psychosis (Score on the Psychotic Symptom Rating Scale (PSYRATS) | 10 weeks | Score on the Psychotic Symptom Rating Scale (PSYRATS) |
Countries
United Kingdom
Outcome results
None listed