Disorganized Schizophrenia Case Study

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.

Schizophrenia is a disorder that is characterized by a broken thought process and poor emotional responses. Typical symptoms of this disorder include delusions, paranoia, hallucinations, social dysfunctions,

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

Many researchers believe it to be a combination of factors such as brain chemistry, genetics, and various environmental factors. Neuroimaging studies have shown differences in the brain structure and central nervous system of people with schizophrenia. While researchers aren't certain about the significance of these changes, they indicate that schizophrenia is a brain disease. (Mayo Clinic Healthy Living, October 11, 2012) Also, people who have problems with certain naturally occurring brain chemicals- including some neurotransmitters called dopamine and glutamate- have a higher risk of contracting schizophrenia. Other factors that may increase the risk of a person developing schizophrenia is having a family history of the disorder, pregnancy complications, taking certain psychoactive drugs, and exposure to neurotoxins at a young

Another type of schizophrenia is disorganized schizophrenia. With this condition people behave oddly or disturbed, with no particular reason why they would behave in such a way. Disorganized schizophrenia has multiple symptoms to be on the look out for, and some to your surprise may be very distinct. Some symptoms include being active but in an aimless sort of way, inappropriate emotional responses. An

4.) double check you have the correct patient by having them say their name ,date of birth and possibly other basic information to prevent reveal of private health information

It is a cluster of disorders characterized by disorganized and delusional thinking, disturbed perceptions and inappropriate emotions and behaviors. The clusters of schizophrenia can present as positive or negative symptoms. The positive symptom patients experience hallucinations, talk in disorganized and deluded way and exhibit inappropriate tears or rage. Those with negative symptoms have toneless voices, expressionless faces, or mute and rigid bodies. Schizophrenia has subtypes within it: paranoia (preoccupation with delusions or hallucinations these often have themes of persecution or grandiosity), disorganization (disorganized speech or behavior, or flat/inappropriate behavior), catatonia (immobility, extreme negativity, or repeating another person’s speech or movement), undifferentiated (many and varied symptoms), and residual (withdrawal after hallucinations or delusions have disappeared). Studies have shown that people who suffer from schizophrenia have excess receptors of dopamine in the brain hinting that the symptoms might have biochemical roots. They also have abnormal brain activity in multiple brain

Disorganized schizophrenia consists of grossly disorganized speech, behavior and inappropriate affect. Catatonic schizophrenia symptoms consist of motoric immobility, negativism, physically resisting, and echolalia. Undifferentiated schizophrenia is when the person show psychotic

It is also worth noting that many schizophrenia experts believe schizophrenia is actually more than one disorder, and that schizophrenia symptoms are actually caused by several subtly different mental disorders. If true, finding a cause for schizophrenia may be extremely complicated.

Schizophrenia however, does not have a cause except for the fact that it may be hereditary (run in the family) or can be a chemical imbalance in the victim's brain the mental illness affects the normal functioning of the brain and changes the affected person in the way that they feel and think.

There are four kinds of schizophrenia, including paranoid schizophrenia, disorganized schizophrenia, catatonic schizophrenia, and undifferentiated schizophrenia. Causes are not clear, and biological, psychological and environment factors are being investigated. It is certain that there is a genetic component. (Passer and Smith, 2004)

Even with all the criteria for Schizophrenia that I described above, still there is no apparent reason as to what the risk factor of Schizophrenia is. Which lead to my research to indentify certain certain Risk factors associated with with Schizophrenia. During my research, I was able to discover many risks factors, but I chose to only discuss the few that are very common through most

Schizophrenia is a psychotic disorder that causes severe mental disturbances which disrupt ones thoughts, speech, and behavior. According to Paul Thompson, Associate Professor of Neurology, one percent of the world’s population suffers from this disorder. There is no one specific cause of schizophrenia, because it is caused by a combination of problems during development. It is a disorder which not only affects the patient, but their family and society as well. Schizophrenia can be a debilitating disorder, however, there are many treatments that can allow people who suffer from it to lead normal lives.

If the chemicals in the brain are having trouble going through the brain then that can cause a psychological disorder such as Schizophrenia. There is also evidence to suggest that the brain of people with Schizophrenia is different than those that have healthier brains. “Some studies also suggest that abnormalities in the temporal lobes, hippocampus, and amygdala are connected to schizophrenia’s positive symptoms (hallucinations or delusions) (Helpguide.org).” In my opinion, the environment one endures can be the biggest factor in the cause of schizophrenia. Child abuse, early traumatic events, severe stress, and negative life events can all have a very huge impact in the cause of Schizophrenia. What someone went through in their past can determine their future.

           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