Patients with schizophrenia (PWS) have difficulties in identification, expression and emotional management. Social withdrawal and difficulty of managing their relationships with others are the result of emotional hypersensitivity of PWS. Avoidance of emotional experiences may play a protective role in the short term but becomes the amplifier of emotional distress in the long term depending on the model of Barlow and Allen.

To improve identification, expression and emotional management in PWS.

PWS learn to identify, name and express their emotions, and their use in social interactions.

Groups of psychotherapy for PWS was implemented. The techniques used are those of cognitive behavioral therapy CBT (Beck) and emotional therapies (Barlow): columns Beck tailored, role-playing, psycho-emotional and breathing. Three groups of four patients participated in six therapy sessions.

In the group of PWS hospitalized, the emotional flexibility (EF) was improved. However, the nomination of emotions remained still difficult. Two groups were followed by extramural therapy. In the first, there is no difference in the scores of the FE before and after their participation. However, in the second extramural group, a half of the patients improved their score FE. In all three groups, we observed clinically less avoidance of emotional experience after working in therapy groups.

The use of emotional identification and engaged coping facilitates interpersonal communication and emphasizes the social integration of PWS. Work on emotional avoidance could prevent from maintenance and increase of emotional distress.

Psychological processes play a mediating role in the development of psycho-pathological disorders depending on the Kinderman's model. Excessive use of emotional avoidance becomes, following the model of Barlow and Allen, the booster of emotional distress at long term. Dysfunctional meta-cognitive processes in turn influence the inadequate interpretations of life experiences.

To improve identification, expression and emotional management in patients with schizophrenia (PWS) and patients with bipolar disorder (PWBD).

Introduction of exposition for the emotional body's sensations. This work on emotional awareness by images and sounds prepare to role-playing and to exposure in real life.

Groups of psychotherapy for adults PWS and PWBD was implemented. The techniques used are those of cognitive behavioral therapy CBT (Beck) and emotional therapies (Barlow): columns Beck tailored, role-playing, psycho-emotional and breathing. Four groups of four patients participated in six therapy sessions.

An increase in emotional flexibility is observed two weeks after the group work (Wilcoxon P = 0.025). Work on emotional identification facilitates the relaxation of the avoidance process while promoting social skills. The new format includes nine sessions three additional sessions on the emotional body sensations. Meta-cognitive work on the interpretation of the delusional thinking has been inserted.

The experience of this pilot study provides encouraging results. The transdiagnostic approach referring to the alterations of this common psychological process finds use with PWS and PWBD.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.