Schizophrenia Mental Health Diagnosis And Daily Functioning

People are generally afraid of the idea of schizophrenia and there are a lot of misconceptions. There are over two million Americans with this mental illness and a number of medications to help treat it. It often can appear in the late teens or twenties for individuals and is very difficult for the whole family as well as the individual that suffers from it.

There is a beautiful video by Jill Taylor who discusses her own stroke as well as her interest in becoming a brain researcher in order to understand schizophrenia due to her brother's diagnosis with this illness. She is an innovator in understanding the way the brain and mind function.


Symptoms can include confusion, delusions and hallucinations. There can be isolating tendencies and withdrawal habits from others.Depression and anxiety may be quite high and it is easy to get overwhelmed. Cognitive problems can manifest in the areas of decision making, attention and the capacity to learn. Delusions can be chronic and one may think that an electronic gadget is communicating with them through waves or that they are constantly being watched by someone. It is painful to see someone shaping their behavior based on delusions that dominate the mind. Some people with medication are able to lessen these disturbing thoughts and not believe them to the degree that they had in the past.

Sometimes people with this diagnosis can show little affect and have a type of flat tone with little excitement. Dr. Laing worked with schizophrenics in the UK and had a radical approach with this population. He saw many aspects of our society and environment as insane and that believed it could be worked with as a journey into the inner self. His views were seen as controversial but many in the seventies appreciated his spiritual and existential approach to this problem. He saw the patient is resorting to this behavior as a coping mechanism and that it grew from an inner despair.

Most people with schizophrenia are not able to work and many qualify for disability in the United States. The intrusion of audio or visual hallucinations, problematical thought patterns and mood liability makes daily functioning a challenge and work responsibilities can often be impossible to sustain with any regularity. There have been many advances in medications and counseling is often used to help identify underlying triggers. Family support is important and there may also be hospitalizations required when symptoms are intense or there is lack of medication compliance.

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Family Counseling In Schizophrenia Patients

Schizophrenia is a mental disorder characterized by a disintegration of thought processes and of emotional responsiveness. It most commonly manifests itself as auditory hallucinations, paranoid or bizarre delusions, or disorganized speech and thinking, and it is accompanied by significant social or occupational dysfunction. The onset of symptoms typically occurs in young adulthood, with a global lifetime prevalence of about 0.3–0.7%. Diagnosis is based on observed behavior and the patient's reported experiences.

Symptoms

A person diagnosed with schizophrenia may experience hallucinations (most reported are hearing voices), delusions (often bizarre or persecutory in nature), and disorganized thinking and speech. The latter may range from loss of train of thought, to sentences only loosely connected in meaning, to incoherence known as word salad in severe cases. Social withdrawal, sloppiness of dress and hygiene, and loss of motivation and judgment are all common in schizophrenia. There is often an observable pattern of emotional difficulty, for example lack of responsiveness. Impairment in social cognition is associated with schizophrenia, as are symptoms of paranoia; social isolation commonly occurs. In one uncommon subtype, the person may be largely mute, remain motionless in bizarre postures, or exhibit purposeless agitation, all signs of catatonia.

Late adolescence and early adulthood are peak periods for the onset of schizophrenia, critical years in a young adult's social and vocational development. In 40% of men and 23% of women diagnosed with schizophrenia the condition manifested itself before the age of 19. To minimize the developmental disruption associated with schizophrenia, much work has recently been done to identify and treat the prodromal (pre-onset) phase of the illness, which has been detected up to 30 months before the onset of symptoms. Those who go on to develop schizophrenia may experience transient or self-limiting psychotic symptoms and the non-specific symptoms of social withdrawal, irritability, dysphoria, and clumsiness during the prodromal phase.

Family Counseling In Schizophrenia Patients
 
1. Teach families about schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a brain disorder that affects all aspects of the functional. No single cause has been determined, but research suggests that the cause, including genetics, brain structure and chemistry changes, and various factors related to stress.

The symptoms may include hearing voices (hallucinations), mistaken beliefs (delusions), communicating in ways that are difficult to understand, as well as occupational and social function badly.

The symptoms may improve, but may also recur continue for life.

2. Teach the family about

Antipsychotic drugs are used; important for clients to take it as prescribed.

Many side effects occur and can be overcome if reported immediately to healthcare providers. (Provide specific information regarding the client's medication).

Follow up treatment with a therapist or care manager is very important.

3. Teach families about ways to overcome the symptoms of the client

Identify the events that typically disappointing clients and provide extra help as needed.

Note when the client became angry and do the actions to reduce anxiety.

Measures to reduce anxiety include rest, relaxation techniques, a balance between rest and activity, and proper diet.

Write down the symptoms that indicated the client when he was sick, and when this happens encourage clients to contact a health care provider (if he refuses, you should contact your own health care providers).

Client does not approve the statement of hallucinations or delusions; let me know about reality, but do not argue with the client.

Additional Information:
Teach families about self-care
Encourage families to talk about their feelings and concerns with health care providers.

Encourage families to want to consider joining a support group or community assistance.

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