ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: Despite remarkable development of pharmacotherapy for schizophrenia, some patients continuously have had violence problems. The violence of psychotic patients is recently becoming the focus of the attention. The aim of this study is to investigate the influence of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) on patients with schizophrenia having violence related history. METHODS: 15 Patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorder of crime history were treated with individual CBT for 12 sessions, and assessed with 4 scales (Korean version of Aggression Questionnaire, Korean version of the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale-11-Revised, Beck Cognitive Insight Scale and Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale) to evaluate anger, impulse, insight and clinical symptoms respectively at baseline and post treatment. The comparison group consisted of 15 patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorder of crime history. They were also assessed with the same scales during the same period. RESULTS: Although impulsivity is not changed significantly after treatment, but there was significant improvement in clinical symptom, insight and aggression, especially self-reflectiveness and anger respectively. CONCLUSION: CBT can be one of the good therapeutic tools for patients with schizophrenia having violence problems in that it reduces aggression and enhances insight of patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorder.