Someday I would like to work with schizophrenics, I find the disease fascinating. I work with schizophrenic’s at my internship, granted, I only have them for a few days, maybe a week I learn so much from them. Knowing that there are five different types of schizophrenics and no cure, is fascinating to me that after all these years, there is not a cure. I feel that as a counselor, I need to be an advocate for patients with schizophrenia because the world sees them as different and individuals do not understand. For example, I have heard other individuals stating that schizophrenics have aggressive behavior. I have only been dealing with schizophrenics for about a year, however, I can say that I have never come across an individual with schizophrenia with an aggressive side to them.
As a counselor, I feel my main role is to show empathy and show my client that no matter what I am there for them. I have learned that schizophrenics do not trust easily, especially a paranoid schizophrenic. To build a therapeutic relationship I will show empathic concern, find this is essential. As a counselor and working with my clients prescribing doctor, I feel that I need to know about the medications that
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Dealing with the professionals involved, we can be aware of how the client’s psychosis is presenting. This is very important, if there is a change as professionals, we need to work together to find out why there was a change. When there are medication changes and other changes in treatment recommendations, it is very important that we discuss this so we can all better help out a client. If the clients’ medication is changed, my client may act differently and without that knowledge, I cannot help my client’s needs. There will be times that we as professionals will have to gather to best help our client, especially after an inpatient hospital
I have always believed that the prognoses for Schizophrenia was, at best, bleak with little chance of any normality or functionality. While I understand that Snyder’s situation is by no means the norm, his current situation offers hope that a life of stability, self-sufficiency and social competence is possible for those diagnosed with Schizophrenia. This assisted in altering my view of Schizophrenia as a “hopeless” situation. It reminded me how important it is to not give up on your clients and believe that they are capable of living, at least to some extent, a fulfilling and functional life. If I as a counselor have no faith in my clients and believe my clients to be hopeless and doomed to their disorder, how can I possibly expect to be able to assist them or for them to be able to help themselves. It is essential to remember that my client has been diagnosed with Schizophrenia and not that my clients is a schizophrenic; this goes for every diagnosis, it does not define who my client
Schizophrenia is a deteriorating progressive disease, consequently, it is resistant to treatment for the individual suffering schizophrenia. (Catts & O’Toole, 2016). In most cases the individuals suffering from schizophrenia, are resistive to treatment, in most cases, individuals suffering from schizophrenia, and are resistive in taking antipsychotics. (Catts & O’Toole, 2016). Jeremy doesn’t see himself as a “schizophrenic”, he states that “he’s happy naturally”, and often he’s observed playing the guitar and doing painting in his room. Weekly, he has an intramuscular medication to treat his disorder, crediting the support of his wife. It is indicated that the morality rate, in patients suffering from schizophrenia is higher, despite the considerable resources available, in Australia. New data show that in 20 countries, including Australia, only 13.5% meet the recovery criteria, which means that 1or 2 patients in every 100, will meet this criteria per year. (Catts & O’Toole, 2016). This means that there’s a decline in providing support and services to individuals like Jeremy suffering from a mental illness such as Schizophrenia. Many individuals become severely ill before they realise they need medical treatment, and when receiving treatment it is usually short-term. (Nielssen, McGorry, Castle & Galletly, 2017). The RANZCP guidelines highlights that
The first is that the patient does get treated at some point. They might slip back into their illness but at some point, most of the patients have gotten better or fully recovered. This is beneficial to the patient’s health and the health of those around them. A study was shown that the total number of patients who don’t undergo psychiatric treatment could commit around 1,000 murders each year. There is a number that is smaller than that because even though patients who go to treatment get treated, some relapse. Also, if doctors didn’t put the patients on medications, they could potentially hurt themselves and the people around them. Medications do help the treatment process, but the dosage amount is
There are some disorders I would absolutely suggest medication such as BPD and Schizophrenia, as I feel very strongly that medications make these diseases manageable. I do recognize that this is not something every patient would want, so it would be a case-by-case basis. If the client declined medication, I would respect their decision, but look further into this in sessions and do research on effective treatments without medication. I feel it is important to share these research findings with clients in a way that is understandable to them so that they understand their choices. This includes if they choose to be on a medication. Many times doctors do not dive into the nitty-gritty details of the negative side effects and positive side effects of psychotropic drugs, so I would want to be very transparent with these facts with my clients so that they may be able to make an educated
Aside from clinical management, this should also involve promoting acceptance and understanding of the experience in such a way that the illness is framed as part of the individual without defining them as a whole. The meaning attached by the individual to their experience can affect their progress and so, their life story, hopes, fears and unique social situation are central in the recovery process. While this serves to encourage acceptance of the individual’s distress, it also facilitates hope for resolution; therefore, professionals are required to enable the individual to unearth their own strengths and meaning. This means reclaiming a full and meaningful life either with or without psychotic symptoms so that the individual can maintain a life even if mental issues persist. Thus, services are required to facilitate a higher level of functioning for service users that enables the individual adapts their attitudes, values and experience; by taking personal responsibility through self-management to seek out help and support as required, rather than being clinically managed
The initial diagnosis of Schizoaffective Disorder can be somewhat confusing. Many patients and loved ones wonder, “What does that mean?” “How is it different than Schizophrenia?” We’re here to break it down for you. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) Schizoaffective Disorder is classified as: An uninterrupted period of illness during which there is a Major Mood Episode (Major Depressive or Manic) concurrent with the Criterion A of Schizophrenia. The Major Depressive Episode must include Criterion A1. Depressed mood. Delusions or hallucinations for 2 or more weeks in the absence of a Major Mood Episode (Depressive or Manic) during the lifetime duration of the illness. Symptoms that meet criteria for a Major Mood Episode are present for the majority of the total duration of the active and residual portions of the illness. The disturbance is not attributable to the effects of a substance or another medical condition.
The nursing theories that are currently being implemented in the psychiatric area of the emergency room should continue to be implemented along with other nursing theories. With the nursing theories that are currently being implemented it is not solving the problem of a non-therapeutic environment for the pscyharitic patients that are boarding in the emergency room waiting for an inpatient bed to become available, there needs to be other nursing theories implemented in order to solve this problem. The policies and procedures that are put into place in this part of the department should be evidence based and should allow the patient to have a therapeutic environment so the patient is able to start the healing and recovery process while the patient is boarding in the emergency
As a result of research and advancements in biomedical science, psychotropic medications have become a primary tool in the holistic treatment of mental health concerns (Kaut & Dickinson, 2007). Education regarding psychopharmacology is now recommended for all mental health professionals in accordance with the ethical codes for the profession (King & Anderson, 2004). Counselors must also navigate their roles with regard to medication and client concerns carefully to avoid liability, while acting in the best interest of the client.
Called a “modern leprosy”, schizophrenia and those who struggle with its disabling outcomes glaringly lack public empathy compared to other conditions that are as severe and existent. Stigmas and misconceptions clutter outsider knowledge of the illness, from its prevalence to its actual effects and complications. Often seen as a very distant kind of condition, schizophrenia is frequently connected to crime and a doomed life, however false and unfair. With the contrary being closer to the truth, those coping with schizophrenia are just as human as anyone else. While hope and opportunity stand for schizophrenic persons, knowledge and comprehension would be an integral measure of progress made by the public in really solving the apparent issue, one misunderstanding at a time.
Before any treatment can begin, a psychologist or psychiatrist must diagnose a patient with schizophrenia. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center’s publication on schizophrenia, a professional will diagnose someone with schizophrenia based on the type of symptoms a patient possesses and how long they have occurred. First, a doctor must meet with the patient to observe his symptoms and obtain a background history from the patient including a medical history. The practitioner will then perform a mental health screening to explore the symptoms that ail the patient and to find whether any other psychological disorders are present (Dryden-Edwards). Since some disorders carry some of the same symptoms as schizophrenia they are search for including schizoaffective disord...
...le to concisely communicate their feelings to another party. While there are individuals who have trouble communicating there are individuals like John Nash who have power to communicate but are troubled with other symptoms of schizophrenia such as persecutory delusions. In short I have learned that mental disorders are complex; therapists must approach every disorder with the same amount of seriousness so that they can be helpful to their patients. Also the restrictions for each disorder must be specific and narrow so that it is possible to accurately diagnose a patient and avoid a misdiagnosis. By learning about the ridged qualifications for different illnesses I have gained a greater grasp on the biological aspect of mental disorders, and how different medication can interact internally within different chemical imbalances in the body.
A patient’s treatment needs may differ widely based on stage of their illness experience. Treatment for a newly diagnosed, moderately ill patient may be very different than the treatment of an end stage, seriously ill patient. In addition, working with patients in various settings as a part of their multi-disciplinary team requires an added consideration of the approach to the staff in the setting. Each patient care setting has a culture of it’s own and requires that a clinician be mindful of how to work with the staff as well as the patient in that particular
A common struggle for counselors can sometimes be to find the right balance between “the demands or managed mental health requirements and obligations to clients” (Braun & Cox, 2005, p.426). Often times counselors may be t...
My experience in mental health clinical was very different from any other clinical I had before. In a mental health clinical setting, I am not only treating client’s mental illnesses, I am also treating their medical problems such as COPD, diabetes, chronic renal failure, etc. Therefore, it is important to prepare for the unexpected events. In this mental health clinical, I learned that the importance of checking on my clients and making sure that they are doing fine by performing a quick head-to toes assessment at the beginning of my shift. I had also learned that client’s mental health illness had a huge impact on their current medical illness.
Psychiatrists provide treatment to patients is different than that of most other physicians. They must not only diagnose and treat their patients medically, but must also make sure that the patient is not a threat to themselves or anyone else. They will meet with patients on regular basis; this could be bi-weekly, weekly, or two or more times a week. A psychiatrist must get to know their patients, and learn everything about them. By doing this, they can evaluate their situation and give advice and support accordingly. The psychiatrist would usually start off by doing a thorough history of the patient; documenting any information that may be relevant. This information could include medical history, any abuse as a child/adolescent, and any other knowledge that could lead to a better understanding of the patients needs. The psy...