Case Study of Gerald: Living with Schizophrenia

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According to the DSM-IV, schizophrenia is classified under the section of “Schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders”. Schizophrenia is one of the most serious major chronic brain disorders in the field of mental health; it is a neurological disorder that affects the cognitive functions of the human brain. People living with this incapacitating illness can experience multiple symptoms that will cause extreme strain in their own and their families and friends life. The individual can lose reality, unable to work, have delusions and hallucinations, may have disorganized speech and thought processes, will withdraw from people and activities, they may become suspicious and paranoid, may behave inappropriately in every day social situations. They may neglect personal hygiene and dress improperly, use excessive make-up; every day life is becoming chaotic for everyone involved. This paper will explore a video Case Study of Gerald who is diagnosed with Schizophrenia; in this film viewers are exposed to the reality of what it is like to live with this debilitating illness, and will explore different therapeutic ways to interact and help a patient like Gerald. My patient Gerald –according to the video- is diagnosed with a textbook case schizophrenia. He exhibits paranoid thinking and his speech is disorganized, his thoughts are loosely connected, and he has formed delusions, he exhibits mood disturbances, and exhibits disordered behaviors (Schizophrenia: Gerald, Part 1). The goal for Gerald is multi-factorial; first, it is important to place into context that Gerald’s schizophrenia is refractory to pharmacological management. Due to Gerald’s complex presentation of multiple symptoms, the goal for the interaction is improved m... ... middle of paper ... ...herapeutic ways to interact with a client. Overall, I believe that I am capable and eager to work with patients like Gerald, but I also realize that I have to keep educating myself, keep up with the ever-evolving management of illness and treatments. Works Cited Kneisl, C.R., & Trigoboff, E. (2009). Contemporary psychiatric mental health nursing. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson Education Inc. NCP Schizoaffective Disorder. (2007). Nursing care plan. Retrieved http://nursingcareplan.blogspot.com/2007/05/ncp-schizoaffective-disorder.html Schizophrenia: Gerald, Part 1. youtube.com. Retrieved http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGnl8dqEoPQ&feature=related http://www.slideshare.net/mycomic/nurse-patient-relationship

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