As one can see, there are multiple possibilities on why/how schizophrenia can onset. The one’s that I see being the most prevalent in Sonny’s case are: possible hormone/thyroid problems picked up from his actual parents, a high amount of social difficulty during his early childhood, and potentially his reaction to the marijuana that he had during his first year of college. It is difficult to understand where Sonny’s problem could have stemmed from as schizophrenia’s cause is still technically unknown.
Sonny has hope though however. There has been lots of research done on different treatment plans for schizophrenia. Treatment, however, can be difficult because each person’s case of schizophrenia can be vastly different. Furthermore, because
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This process was also known as metacognition, which was also described as, “Ability to form integrated ideas about the self and others and to use that knowledge when facing psychosocial challenges” (Lysaker & Roe, 2015). To me, this sounds like treating the patient as a ‘normal’ person who could look past their mental disorder/learn how to work with their mental disorder. This is something that would be great as it does not necessarily involve using medication that might not truly be helping the patient. In other words, it is almost a form of motivational therapy to show the patient that even though they have a mental disorder, they can still live out their lives and accomplish their goals. Another route towards treating schizophrenia is the medication route. The main drugs used to treat schizophrenia are antipsychotic drugs (Schizophrenia, Mayo Clinic). The drug’s main goal is to try and maintain a healthy level of dopamine in the brain (Some examples include: Asenapine, Brexpiprazole, Paliperidone, etc.) (Schizophrenia, Mayo Clinic). Research has shown that the use of antipsychotic drugs seems to be working effectively for some patients but not for others (Schizophrenia, Web MD). However, one major problem that can come up after using prescription medications to treat schizophrenia can be relapsed once the patient stops using their medication (Schizophrenia, Web MD). Another negative aspect of medications are the potential side
By taking the time and educating ourselves, we are eliminating possible misconceptions about the illness. Working with people that have a mental disorder is the best way to understand how and why they act the way they do. While the cause of schizophrenia is still unknown, it is believed that both genetics and environmental factors play a role. Schizophrenia consists of five subtypes; paranoid, disorganized, catatonic, undifferentiated, and residual. Symptoms can range from hallucinations to delusions, and disorganized thinking. Since there is no cure for schizophrenia, treatment is aimed at controlling the positive, negative, and cognitive symptoms. By starting with a single antipsychotic medication and evaluating the efficacy in four to six weeks, they are able to determine if that medication will work or if they need to try a different one. Once they find out what works, they must adhere to it. Through improved public awareness society can break the pervasive stigma and discrimination surrounding mental illnesses that stand in the way of finding cures and help people with schizophrenia lead full lives they
Researchers believe that dopamine plays an important part in schizophrenia. The goal of conventional antipsychotic drug therapy is to reduce the amount of dopamine, or the amount of dopamine receptor sites. They are dopamine antagonists
First off I would like to tell you what exactly schizophrenia is. Schizophrenia is a brain disease, with concrete and specific symptoms due to physical and biochemical changes in the brain. This illness strikes young people in their prime age usually between 16 and 25. Schizophrenia is almost always treatable with medication. Contrary to what most think schizophrenia is not a "split personality", or caused by childhood trauma, bad parenting, or poverty, and not the result of any action or personal failure by the individual.(3)
For most individuals with schizophrenia, a thorough treatment plan is vital to assist with medication adherence, reduce hospitalization and to provide improvement in quality of life. Typically a prescription for antipsychotics is necessary not only to reduce positive
There is no known or possible cure for schizophrenia. This was the worse news that has been given yet. I have been switching between different medications and dosages to help my symptoms for years. I was happy to hear that in the 1990s, new antipsychotic medications were developed (S.A. Roberts, Personal Communication, March 15, 2016). These new medications are called second-generation or atypical antipsychotics (Schizophrenia. n.d.). These medications were offered to me in the form of a pill and an injection that can be given once or twice a month. Other than medications, I have also been offered therapy. There are different kinds for different aspects. Personally, I have been receiving psychosocial treatments and cognitive behavioral
There is a considerable amount of different concepts that can be used when thinking about schizophrenia; unfortunately, since it continues to be a misunderstood disorder, there also exist numerous misconceptions about the schizophrenia. The most common misconceptions deal with the treatment options for schizophrenia, the potential recovery rate, and the ability of people who are diagnosed with the disorder or symptoms to live productive and meaningful lives. Though there are no permanent cures to treat the disease, there are certain medications that help manage the symptoms in order to help people lead healthy and satisfied lives. The recovery rate for the disease is also
As we have seen, treatment of schizophrenia with antipsychotic drugs can have impressive results in terms of decreasing active symptoms, although it does nothing to alleviate negative symptoms or to improve cognitive functioning. Unfortunately, this kind of treatment has the drawback of extremely serious and even fatal side-effects. Newer generation atypical antipsychotics offer more hope, as they can treat both active and negative symptoms, and also improve cognitive functioning. Moreover, they have fewer side-effects. However, treatment is complicated by the fact that results are unpredictable; and in addition the side-effects that they do have can be very serious, such as diabetes, which in itself is life-threatening. However, as the potential side-effects are known, the physician has leeway to choose a drug which is a good match for the patient’s clinical profile. Then, once the patient’s symptoms have been much alleviated with an appropriate newer generation atypical antipsychotic, the patient should be able to also benefit from a range of psychotherapeutic interventions. It is argued that this is the best treatment regime to choose, as it is likely to result in the greatest improvement in quality of life, coupled with the lowest risk of potentially devastating side-effects, or of death. This is likely to be better than utilizing cognitive behavioral therapy, the results of which are not reliably known – although research has certainly shown that it is less efficacious
Antipsychotic medications are proven to help in treating acute psychosis and to reduce the risk of future psychotic events. People with severe symptoms require hospitalization to ensure safety, proper nutrition, adequate sleep, and proper hygiene. Some common medication used to treat schizophrenia are, trifluoperazine, flupenthixol, loxapine among others. There is a side effect from every medication we take, and there is no exception for antipsychotic medications. These medications may cause, drowsiness, dizziness, blurred vision, rapid heartbeat, sensitivity to the sun, rashes, and menstrual problems for women. People taking these medications should not operate machinery or drive a car until they adjust to all of their medications. However, people might need to try several medications until they find the appropriate medication for them. People should not stop taking any medication without the proper recommendation from their doctor. Not taking their medication adequately may cause a relapse and the symptoms come back or usually their symptoms get
There are numerous different types of medications that you can take with schizophrenia. There was “a 4-week of placebo-controlled trial in hospitalized patients with acute Schizophrenia.” “Risperidone was used as an active control in this study.” There are physiological treatments that include cognitive behavior therapy, family therapy and one-on-one therapy that contribute to help manage the schizophrenia. Anti-psychotic medicines are called “atypical”, it helps to contribute to improve and maintain symptoms. You can get them as injections, liquid form and also pills. You have to participate in a maintenance plan that helps to manage and prevent acute episodes from coming back
This does not indicate that if you or a Dear One has been diagnosed with Schizophrenia there is no hope. The best asset for a successful outcome in treating Schizophrenia is a knowledgeable doctor, who is experienced in dealing with this debilitating brain malfunction. A compassionate physician who is willing to explore clinical trials or alternative treatment is even better.
Schizophrenia is a life-long disorder that affects about one percent of the population (Mueser & McGurk, 2004). The cause of this mental illness is still unclear. Studies have suggested that Schizophrenia does not arise from one factor but from a combination of genetic, environmental, and social factors (Liddle, 1987). People diagnosed with Schizophrenia struggle to deal with a multitude of symptoms that make it difficult to function (Mueser & McGurk, 2004). Antipsychotic medications are a popular treatment of the symptoms of Schizophrenia (Mueser & McGurk, 2004). Research is constantly being done to develop these medications to enhance the quality of life of those diagnosed with Schizophrenia.
Approximately 22% of the American population suffers from some kind of mental disorder at any given time. (Passer and Smith, 2004) Schizophrenia is one of the most serious of these mental disorders, and there are many different kinds of treatment. While all mental disorders offer diagnosis and treatment challenges, few are more challenging than schizophrenia. It is both bizarre and puzzling, and has been described as “one of the most challenging disorders to treat effectively.” (Passer and Smith, 2004, 534)
Antipsychotics are classified as major tranquilizers that are used to treat mental health illnesses such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and other mental illnesses. They can also treat severe depression and severe anxiety. These antipsychotics drugs reduce or increase the effect of neurotransmitters in the brain to regulate levels that help transfer information throughout the brain. The neurotransmitters that are affected are the serotonin, dopamine, and noradrenaline.
Antipsychotic – Psychotropic drugs are often used for neurochemical problems, behavioral problems, schizophrenia, and other mental disorders. These drugs sometimes cause side effects
Other medications are also used to assist with treating other symptoms of the disorder or side effects of the prescribed medication. Medications may be given to help alleviate or reduce anxiety, aggression, agitation, and other positive or negative symptoms associated with schizophrenia. Medications will not cure the disorder, but will assist the person with functioning better on a day to day basis. Once the symptoms begin to reduce or subside, the individual may become more open to other treatment options as well as increase the effectiveness of the other treatments (Preston, O'Neal & Talaga, 2010).