Feasibility RCT of CBT for Depersonalisation in psychosis
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A brief Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) intervention for depersonalisation/derealisation in psychosis: a feasibility study
IRAS ID
166784
Contact name
Simone Farrelly
Contact email
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
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. We 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.
REC name
London - Camberwell St Giles Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/LO/0081
Date of REC Opinion
25 Feb 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion