ABSTRACT
These treatment approaches attempt to train, educate, or teach patients to recognize, appreciate, and compensate for their deficiencies. It is particularly important with this patient population for the therapist to adopt and sustain an accepting, nonjudgmental attitude so that the patients, in learning about their "differences," can address and overcome their feelings of inferiority. The general thrust is to promote adaptive functioning in the face of their limitations. With this attitude, the psychoeducational approach uses didactic strategies to teach patients about their psychopathology. While there may be some emphasis on the etiology, the greater emphasis is on how their difficulties affect their ability to function in reality. Patients are supported in their efforts to accept their limitations. They are educated to recognize those situations where their deficits or limitations are most likely manifested or exacerbated. The patient population in need of psychoeducational and psychosocial skills treatment often also needs and benefits from psychotropic medications. These agents may be used to address disordered thinking, impulsivity, affective regulation difficulties, and aggressive behavior, among other symptoms (see Chapter 11 for more information.) Education regarding the role of the medication in addressing their troubles
with "controlling thoughts," "a short fuse," "putting the brain before the mouth (or action)", and other "weak emotional muscles" can assist patient and family in understanding the nature of their difficulties and the role of the psychotropic agent in the overall plan of treatment. In these ways, it is hoped that the medicine can come to be seen as "a friend," perhaps "like insulin is to a diabetic."
