I think this is very exciting, ref. new thesis below.... would be very interested in any views.... best wishes, John Campbell

OVERVIEW

We believe that, contrary to surface appearances, many individuals make a rational decision (the ‘Bargain’) to move into a psychosis state – to avoid a state that to them seems even more awful.
(This view is supported by variance of schizophrenia prevalence rates in line with variance in the local likely emotional and material support that individuals will receive if they take the schizophrenic route).

Recovery is often characterised by a change in the ‘Bargain’- a change in the individual’s perception of the forces, or an actual change in the forces, that they are experiencing.

It may be possible to help the individual move back towards a normal mental state by
(a) helping them change their perceptions of the forces they are experiencing,
and/or
(b) changing the actual forces they are experiencing.
(Use of REBT i.e. elimination of ‘awfulizing’, or ACT, on core fears - not on symptoms - may be particularly fruitful.)

(from bargainthesis.blogspot.com)