The Effect of Expressive Therapy on the Mood and Affect of Schizophrenia Patients

Abstract

Schizophrenia is a very severe mental disorder. The most prominent symptoms are impaired thought processes, impaired willpower, and depersonalization or multiple personalities. Psychomotor disturbances such as mannerisms, neologisms, or childish behavior are common in heberphrenic schizophrenia, and delusions and hallucinations are numerous. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of providing expressive therapy, namely guessing emoji pictures, on hebephrenic schizophrenia patients. This quasi-experimental study used a One Group Pretest-Posttest Design. Two patients with hebephrenic schizophrenia and a maximum of mild cognitive impairment were recruited. Both patients were given interventions involving expressive picture guessing therapy activities based on a cognitive-behavioral framework and the application of modeling and role-play strategies. The interview stages include introducing yourself, explaining the purpose of your visit, explaining the interview material, and asking questions. Observations include activities, events, occurrences, objects, specific conditions or situations, and a person's emotional feelings. The steps in statistical data analysis include defining the problem, collecting data, analyzing it, and presenting the results. Emoji guessing therapy is effective in improving patients' mood and affect in psychosocial situations. However, in this therapy, the therapist is unable to complete the therapy session until the final session. Rewards must be consistent and routine to encourage patients to participate in therapy sessions. Rewards should also be given immediately once desired behaviors are achieved.