Schizophrenia

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Understanding Schizophrenia

Abnormal Psychology

Nicole Wilson

November 6, 001

Help with essay on Schizophrenia Schizophrenia is a serious brain illness that causes changes in how you think, feel, and behave. It is perhaps the most puzzling and disabling clinical syndrome. Schizophrenia most often corresponds to the popular conceptions to madness or lunacy (Nevid 000). The illness strips the mind of intimate connections between thoughts and emotions and replaces it with distorted perceptions, false beliefs, and illogical ideas. Some people think that it is the disease of having a split personality, which is not true.

There are many common symptoms of schizophrenia. Research has found that both positive and negative symptoms exist. Some common symptoms are delusions, hallucinations, disorganized thinking, problems in thinking, lack of motivation, moving slowly, and social isolation, lack of interest or initiative, change in affect (Csernansky 00). The positive symptoms are delusions- false beliefs that are not logical and have no basis in reality, and hallucinations- hearing or seeing things that are not real. Other senses such as touch, taste, or smell may also be affected. Negative symptoms include disorganized thinking, abnormal behavior, and speech- jumping from one topic to another. A person with schizophrenia may also experience problems concentrating and remembering details of life, lack of motivation to eat, bathe, or change clothing.

Problems relating to others and showing emotion because of change in affect, moving as little as possible, social isolation from the outside world and lack of interest or motivation

are often common in theses patients (Navid 00).

Schizophrenia usually develops in late adolescence or early adulthood. The average age for the first schizophrenic episode is experienced in the early or mid-twenties. Most common cases of schizophrenia start with what is called the prodromal phase, which is the period of deterioration. The prodramal phase is characterized by difficulty in meeting requirements of daily living and of daily responsibilities. Over time the person's behavior becomes more eccentric and absurd and psychotic symptoms become visible in the patient many call this the acute phase. Residual phase is known to follow the acute stage where the behavior returns to how it started in the prodromal phase. The patient continues to have impaired thinking and a lack of apathy for others. Many harbor strange beliefs of telepathy which make it difficult for them to live in society and function how they are expected to by others. Rarely if ever do patients return to normal behavior and more commonly they have continued patterns of the acute phases.

The exact cause of schizophrenia is unknown. A brain chemical imbalance, brain disease or injury, or genetic predisposition may cause it. It is important to remember that it is a psychiatric problem that is not the patient's fault, the parents' fault, or a demonic pocession. Stress does not cause schizophrenia; stress may make the symptoms worse. Major stressful situations may trigger some symptoms of schizophrenia (Whitehorn 00). Some examples include loss of a job, divorce or break up of a relationship, or serious financial problems. People with Schizophrenia can also become depressed. Having depression increases the risk that the person with schizophrenia may commit suicide. The depression can be treated to ease the illness of the patient.

There is no known cure for schizophrenia (Nevid 000). Treatment for the illness is often multifaceted; incorporating pharmacological, psychological, and rehabilitative approaches (Nevid 000). Out of the research that I have read and understood, there is a basic treatment plan is very important for the patient. I have summarized it as the" the three steps to wellness". Step 1 is to take the medications to reduce or eliminate symptoms. Medication must be taken daily to work effectively and help the patient function better. Step is to talk to a counselor and to attend a support group to learn skills to cope with the symptoms of the illness. A counselor may be a psychiatrist, psychologist, social worker, nurse, or rehabilitation therapist (Whitehorn 00). Step three is to structure day to day life and living arrangements to reduce stress and to provide safety for the patient. Attending a day treatment program and living in a supportive house may also provide the structure a patient suffering from schizophrenia may need by offering planned activities, teaching basic living skills, and modeling appropriate behavior. Talking with peers and the counselor at support groups may help the patient understand and solve many of the problems they are facing (Gunasekara 00).

There are medications used for treating schizophrenia labeled Antipsychotics. New "atypical medications tend to have fewer side effects than the "typical" or older group of antipsychotic medications. These medications are not addictive. Medications seem to relieve the symptoms common with schizophrenia. The most commonly antipsychotic drugs used are phenothiazines chlorpromazine (Thorazine), thioridazine (mellaril), trifluoperazine (stelazine), and fluphenazine (prolixin), and haloperidol (Haldol). No one knows exactly how these drugs work, but they seem to block the dopamine receptors in the brain. The reduced dopamine activity seems to ease the acute signs of schizophrenia, such as the positive symptoms. When certain chemicals in your brain are not balanced you may not have the symptoms. Medications change the levels of these chemicals in your brain to help relieve the patient's symptoms (Whitehorn 00). When brain chemicals are balanced the patient will feel better, think more clearly, and function more normally. It may take the patients body a while to adjust to medication in its system. The human body and the brain require time to adjust to the changes that the medication causes. At first, the patient may experience uncomfortable side effects. These side effects often get better and with time the body and brain adjust to the medication. Medication itself is not sufficient in meeting the needs of a patient with schizophrenia. Drug therapy must be accompanied with some type of pschoeducational program to help the patient learn to cope with everyday activities. The patient and health care provider talk and decide the medication that is best for the specific patient (Gunasekara 00).

Many patients experience side effects, but they are manageable. If the patient has side effects, it is important that the patient does not stop taking the medication because the symptoms are likely to return. It is important that the patient talks to the health care provider about the side effects that are being experienced and the provider may adjust the dose or change the medication to help lessen the side effects (Csernansky 00). Common side effects of Atipsychotic medications depend on what kind of medication the patient is taking. Side effects of atypical antipsychotic medications may include fatigue, dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation, dizziness, muscle stiffness, spasms, or cramps, low blood pressure, tremors, facial tics, difficulty with movement, restlessness, and weight gain (Whitehorn 00). The side effects of typical antipsychotic medications are the same as with atypical with a few added, such as lack of spontaneous speech, emotional expression, interest in activities excessive restlessness, and sleepiness.

The most important thing for the patient is to take their medications as prescribed, see the health care provider regularly, and to watch for warning sign of a relapse. It is important for the patient to continue to take their medication, even if they are feeling better. Going off the medication will cause the symptoms to return. The health care provider will decide when the patient is ready to stop (Whitehorn 00). The health care provider will talk with the patient to evaluate the patient's wellness. The health care provider may also do blood test and other physical evaluations to monitor the response to the medication. The counselor will help the patient to learn coping skills during individual or group sessions. If the patient notice any signs of relapse, it is important that they continue to take their medication and contact their health provider as soon as possible. Warning signs of relapse include hallucinations, excessive fear, and problems functioning. It is essential for the patient to develop a relapse prevention plan with the health care provider (Csernansky 00). Knowing what steps to take in advance if the patient begins to experience symptoms will help in the recovery (Nevid 000).

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