Transcript Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia
Praetoria Diaz
What is it?
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A severe brain disorder in which people interpret reality
abnormally
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hallucinations,
delusions
extremely disordered thinking/behavior
The word "schizophrenia" means "split mind," referring to
a disruption of the usual balance of emotions and thinking
Causes
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Genetics
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Environment
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People with schizophrenia are more likely to have other
documented genetic mutations
1 percent of the population is at risk, chances increase when a
family member has suffered it
Exposure to viruses or malnutrition before birth
Biologically
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Insufficient dopamine and glutamate
Problems appear during brain development
Treatment
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Psychotherapy
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To LEARN SOCIAL SKILLS (vs. talking about problems and searching
for a solution)
Being with a therapist allows a safe environment for schizophrenics
to receive
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Advice
Reassurance
Goal-setting skills
Reality-testing exercises
Medication
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Disease is a combination of dissociative, mood, and anxiety disorder
so the medications are combinations
Antipsychotics mainly
Important to follow a routine when taking meds
Types of Schizophrenia
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PARANOID
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presence of auditory hallucinations or delusional thoughts
about persecution/conspiracy
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Able to function in everyday life
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Symptoms appear later in life
Private tendencies
Seek help only when a stressful event has caused them to act out
Types Con’t
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DISORGANIZED
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Disturbed thought process
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Trouble with routine tasks (brushing teeth, eating meals, going to
work)
Emotionally unstable or inappropriate emotional reactions to
situations
Inability to communicate effectively (order of words in a sentence,
“tip-of-the-tongue” feeling)
Types Con’t
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CATATONIC
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Disturbances in movement
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Reduction of movement (glassy-eyed staring into space)
Increase in activity to the point where it becomes uncontrollable
(ticks, repeated actions)
Waxy Flexibility- being placed in a strange position yet not moving
once placed
Patients may assume uncomfortable body positions or facial
expressions and then refuse/are unable to change them
VIDEO>>>Catatonic Schizophrenia
Types Con’t
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UNDIFFERENTIATED
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Whatever falls under schizophrenia but doesn’t quite fit any of
the other types
Symptoms in a person may change from time to time
Types Con’t
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RESIDUAL
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Once a patient has been diagnosed with schizophrenia but
their symptoms seem to have disappeared
Hallucinations or delusions may still exist but they are greatly
diminished
The healing process of schizophrenia looks like a sin curve
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Stressful events trigger unwanted behavior that slows down
progressively until the next stressful event
Dealing with stress is an important skill
If schizophrenia is acute = greater chance for recovery
Gradual onset = not so much
Sources
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http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/schizophrenia/index.shtml
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseasesconditions/schizophrenia/basics/causes/con-20021077
http://psychcentral.com/lib/types-of-schizophrenia/000714/2
http://psychcentral.com/disorders/sx31t.htm