The Effect of Art Group Psychotherapy with Photograph in Chronic Psychiatric Disorders: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Photograph was used as a therapeutic tool for the first time in 1856 by Dr. Hugh Diamond. Photos are considered to be representations of a person's reality. The possibility of producing visual images when a client has verbal expression difficulties, photography provides a more structured way of expressing ideas and emotions and to be a means of projective-symbolic communication. Photo therapy with chronic psychotic patients may contribute to development of perception of reality, part-whole relationship, integration, distinction of external-internal world, symbolization capacity and improve ego functions The aim of this study was to determine the effect of phototherapy on symptomatology, functionality, emotional regulation, cognitive skills and coping skills in patients with chronic psychiatric disorders. In accordance with this aim, the study was carried out with 14 outpatients diagnosed as chronic schizophrenic or psychotic disorder. Seven patients received routine medical care plus 28-week psychotherapy with photograph and 7 patients received only routine medical care. Patients were assessed in pre and post-treatment with Beck Depression Inventory, Beck Anxiety Inventory, Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale, Global Assessment of Functioning, Ways of Coping Inventory and Neuropsychological Test Battery. Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test used for statistical analysis. The therapy method resulted in statistically significant reductions in the level of depression and general symptom levels and statistically significant improvement in cognitive abilities and functionality (P < .05). There was also statistically significant improvement in positive reappraisal subscale of coping ways. These findings may indicate that photo-oriented art group therapy might show positive effects on the course of chronic psychotic disorders.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.