Case Study (Schizophrenia)

The True Life episode, I have Schizophrenia, documented the struggles of three adults who suffer from Schizophrenia and Schizoaffective disorder. This paper will focus around Josh and whether he actually has Schizophrenia.

From a sociocultural viewpoint would suggest that maybe his race, as well as his country, and social environment could play a role in his schizophrenia also people labeling him as not normal could have played a role in a self fulfilling prophecy. Sociocultural views may also suggest that family stresses may have been a contribution to his schizophrenia.

I chose to write my research paper over Schizophrenia. It is a psychological disorder that I have always found fascinating. It is a serious disorder that consumes a person's life and is nearly impossible to control. In this paper, I will talk about the definition of Schizophrenia, the diagnosis of Schizophrenia, Schizophrenia in children, suicide, sexually related characteristics of the disease, sleep disorders caused by the disease, differences in the disease on different ethnicities, and insensitivity to pain.

Mr Fred (pseudonym) is a 65 year old male who presented to hospital with acute onset dyspnoea, reduced exercise tolerance and chest pain. His past medical history included Hypertension, GORD, GOUT, open appendectomy, obstructive sleep apnoea and Mitral valve prolapse (Diagnosed 2005). It was found pre-operatively that Mr Fred ejection fraction was LVEF-45%-50%.

Undifferentiated schizo. Is usually given when a patient has been exhibiting symptoms of schizophrenia. However, the symptoms do not meet the criteria for diagnosed, catatonic, or paranoid schizophrenia. Undifferentiated is the “not otherwise specified” version of schizophrenia (Schizophrenia, Undifferentiated). Residual schizophrenia is the mildest of all the subtypes. “Individuals who are diagnosed with residual schizophrenia are often in a transitional stage of the disorder.” (Residual). Disorganized based on the individuals disorganized behavior, speech, and disturbances in emotional expression (Schizophrenia, Disorganized). Disorganized behavior can be expressed in many ways. Varying from as simple as starting or finishing a small task to as major as not being able to function on their own. Catatonic Schizophrenia involves disturbances in a person’s movement, exhibit a dramatic reduction in activity, to the point where voluntary movement completely stops (Catatonic). A person with Catatonic Schizophrenia can show considerable physical strength in resistance to repositioning attempts, even though they appear to be uncomfortable. Paranoid Schizophrenia is the most common subtype. Patients are likely to experience paranoid delusions that are unreasonable such as the thought of strangers trying to harm them. Patients with Paranoid Schizophrenia may feel angry and/or

The symptoms of schizophrenia vary, however, they have been categorized as positive, negative, and cognitive symptoms. Positive symptoms may include hallucinations, delusions, and / or thought disorder. Hallucinations normally give a false perception of touch, smell, taste, and / or visit, those with this particular mental disorder often experience auditory hallucinations. Delusions are also a sign of schizophrenia. Open quotations delusions are beliefs that are not part of the person's culture and do not change. Quotation parentheses u.s. Department, print the seas, 2010. These may cause a person that has this disorder, to think or feel as if they are victims in imagine conspiracy. It is also shown that they believe they are being controlled

Mr. Scott is a 34 year old male who presented to the ED via LEO. Mr. Scott reported to nursing staff he has not been taking medication for schizophrenia for the past 8 days because he believes the medication has not helping him with his hallucinations. Mr. Scott reports cocaine use yesterday to nurse staff. At the time of the assessment Mr. Scott is found pacing the floor of his room, However he is calm and cooperative. Mr. Scott reports he was released from a mental health facility in Chatham county. Mr. Scott mention previous hospitalization at Coastal Plains and Holly Hill. He reports a history of Bipolar, PTSD, and manic depression. Mr. Scott reports currently having suicidal thoughts of overdosing on unknown medication he has at his place of residence. Mr. Scott appears guarded and very anxious when talking to this clinician. He reports poor sleep (2-3 hours daily), experiencing flash backs of past traumas from growing up in his previous community, and visual hallucinations. Mr. Scott reports recently he would see dead bodies in the room and doors opening when he knows they are closed. Mr. Scott reports a history of suicidal ideation and attempts, the last being a month ago

A patient that shows sign such as regression, inappropriate affect, and other behaviors that are childish or bizarre most likely has disorganized schizophrenia. But this is not the only type of schizophrenia, there are others such as: Paranoid schizophrenia, disorganized schizophrenia, catatonic schizophrenia, undifferentiated schizophrenia, and lastly residual schizophrenia.

In the US, patients with schizophrenia who are unemployed, may be eligible for Medicare and Medicaid. These programs pay the cost of medical care; however benefits may be revoked if individuals begin to work or acquire other means of income, even if their job or other source of income provide minimal to no health benefits. Another consideration when dealing with Schizophrenia is how it affects the individual’s entire family. While difficult, the patient benefits greatly from having a support system to assist in keeping track with therapy, medication and to help decrease feelings of being different. “The results indicate a 20% relapse rate reduction if the family is included in schizophrenia treatment.” (Walz, "Psychology of Schizophrenia ") The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) is an advocacy group that is helpful in supporting family members. NAMI also advocates funding and research. ("Schizophrenia Treatment & Management: Approach Considerations, Antipsychotic Pharmacotherapy, Other Pharmacotherapy", 2018) Lastly, a person with schizophrenia should be encouraged to stay active and consume a healthy diet as antipsychotic medications can cause weight gain and changes in glucose or lipid metabolism. They may also develop odd food cravings, have limited funds, can't cook for themselves, or may simply find that fast food is much easier to

Client is a 35 year old African American female with an 12th grade education level who presented with signs and symptoms of forgetfulness, depression, severe anxiety, stress, uncontrollable mood swings and difficulty making decisions. During the assessment, the client struggled with bouts of crying triggered by memories of her past. The client was recently hospitalized at VCU Hospital for signs and symptoms related to a panic attack. The client has been given the diagnosis of Major Depressive and Anxiety. The client has been prescribed Prozac. Currently the client does not have a PCP or psychiatrist.

Supporters of change have impacted suppliers and policymakers who serve patients with co-occurring disorders. It now is by, and large recognized that these patients have needed to explore divided frameworks and that they have gotten treatment that is less open and less compelling than the medical services framework can convey. For quite some time the presence of a co-occurring disorder diagnosis has been ignored, overlooked or misdiagnosed, health care providers and policymakers now perceive that these conditions are prevalent and that the dominant part of patients with substance abuse issues doubtlessly has a co-occurring disorder.

The DSM- IV categorizes these states based on the expressed symptoms as paranoid, disorganized, catatonic, residual, and undifferentiated (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Although the symptoms can be easily categorized, diagnosing schizophrenia is much more difficult. This is due to the spectrum of severity and if the client projects positive or negative symptoms. In the case of schizophrenia, positive symptoms are the behaviors that are added to or

There are three major types of schizophrenia, Paranoid, disorganized, and catatonic. Paranoid schizophrenia is when an individual develops absurd or suspicious ideas and beliefs. Their hallucinations and delusions typically revolve around an organized theme or "story" which consists over time. Disorganized schizophrenia generally appears at an earlier age than other types. It causes those to have disorganized speech, behavior, and have inappropriate emotions. These patients usually have trouble taking care of them and are unable to perform simple tasks. They sometimes suffer hallucinations and delusions, but their fantasies and imaginings aren’t consistent or organized like those who suffer from paranoid schizophrenia. Catatonic schizophrenia in general is a disturbance in movement with two different states (Veague 24). Stuporous state is when there is a decrease in motor activity. During this state, a patient can cease

Throughout psychology today there are six different theoretical models that seek to explain and treat abnormal functioning or behavior. These different models have been a result of different ideas and beliefs over the course of history. As psychology began to grow so did the improvements in research techniques. As a result psychologists are able to explain a variety of disorders in terms of the six different theoretical models. In the movie A Beautiful Mind it follows the mathematician John Nash as he struggles with schizophrenia. It an attempt to explain John Nash’s disorder the six different theoretical models will be looked at, they include biological model, psychodynamic model, behavioral model, cognitive model, humanistic model,

           The patient M. is a 26 year old married female who was brought to the ER by her husband after increased anxiety and depression worsened after a “spiritual attack” that lasted for over four days.  While in the ER the patient admitted to hearing multiple distant male and female voices all around her head and outside of her head.  She states not being able to make out the message but interprets them to be negative in nature. She told the ER Doc she felt people were trying to harm her and that “people in her life have used things against her.”  She felt her extended family may have used witchcraft and “chakra dolls” to cast spells on her.  She is cognizant of the strangeness of her claims but believes them to be real