For this week’s discussion, I chose to research Schizophrenia. I chose this psychological disorder because of the extreme impact it can have on individuals and their families. Schizophrenia is a serious mental illness that affects how people think, feel, and behave. It’s most commonly diagnosed during late adolescence in males, but for females it’s normally diagnosed in their early twenties to early thirties. While it is possible for Schizophrenia to occur in young children, it’s rare. The symptoms include delusions, disorganized speech, catatonia, as well as additional secondary symptoms that are associated with brain disease. Patients with schizophrenia are seen as struggling with mistrust as well as the expectation that others will harm them. Their relationships are marked by uncertainty, involving both a longing for merger and withdrawal based on the fear of closeness.
The most common treatment for patients with schizophrenia is a combination of prescription antipsychotic medication, such as clozapine, and some form of individual psychotherapy. Most treatments include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), supportive counseling, and routine care. The CBT focuses on teaching patients’ methods of coping with their symptoms, providing training in problem solving, and teaching strategies to reduce risk of relapse. (Tarrier N, 1998) After the research I’ve done up to this point regarding CBT, I think that this is a great option to help patients retain some feeling of normalcy and routine to their lives.
The most comprehensive treatment options for an individual diagnosed with schizophrenia requires a consistent and potentially lifelong treatment plan. However, individuals are still able to live productive and healthy lives, which can include a family and work-life balance. A major investment has been made in Recovery Paradigm; which places the person at the center of their care and ensures the focus is to help them achieve their life goals. (David J. Castle, 2015)
References
Tarrier N, Yusupoff L, Kinney C, McCarthy E, Gledhill A, Haddock G, Morris J: Randomised controlled trial of intensive cognitive behaviour therapy for patients with chronic schizophrenia. British Medical Journal 1998; 317:303–307
Fenton WS: Evolving perspectives on individual psychotherapy for schizophrenia. Schizophrenia Bulletin 2000; 26(1):47–72
Castle, David J., and Peter F. Buckley. Schizophrenia, Oxford University Press, 2015. ProQuest Ebook Central, https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/fit/detail.action?docID=1924921
