Schizophrenia
A group of psychotic disorders that affect the perception of thought, the way language is spoken as well as how it is perceived, emotions, social behavior, and the ability to perceive reality
How does schizophrenia progress?
It is a chronic illness that worsens with time and with an eventual halt in the progression of the symptoms
** Only for elderly patients with schizophrenia has it been suggested that improvement might occur
Is there a standard treatment for schizophrenia?
No, treatment is so customized and unique that it can vary from one person to the next, as well as one episode of an individual to the next
Early Age Onset of Schizophrenia is usually associated with what?
18-25 years old
Later Age Onset of Schizophrenia is usually associated with what?
25-35 years old
Which has a more favorable prognosis, an abrupt onset or a slow onset?
An abrupt onset
Characteristics of Schizophrenia
Characteristics of Schizophrenia: Dependency
Very common characteristic, 75-85% schizophrenic client’s smoke. They tend to smoke 2-3 times more than the average smoker
Characteristics of Schizophrenia: Depressive Symptoms
Suicide is the leading cause of premature death and 20 times higher with schizophrenics than those of the general population
Characteristics of Schizophrenia: Anxiety Disorders
Significantly higher in those with schizophrenia than those in the general population
Characteristics of Schizophrenia: Psychosis Induced Polydipsia
Compulsive drinking of water (up to 4-10 L/day) seen in those with schizophrenia and severe mental illness. May result in severe hyponatremia, cerebral edema, and death
Diagnostic Criteria for Schizophrenia
The criteria for the diagnosis of schizophrenia includes a mixture of core (positive and/or negative) symptoms for a significant portion of a one month period but with continuous signs of disturbance persisting for at least 6 months
Types of Schizophrenia
Disorganized Schizophrenia Onset
Before the age of 25, usually early to mid-teens
Characteristics of Disorganized Schizophrenia
How would get a Disorganized Schizophrenic to communicate with you?
Parallel play
Catatonic Schizophrenia
Its essential feature is extreme abnormal motor behavior. They exhibit either extreme motor agitation or extreme psychomotor retardation
Two Types of Catatonic Schizophrenia
2. Catatonic excitement
Catatonic Stupor
Characterized by extreme psychomotor retardation such as a pronounced decrease in spontaneous movements and activity
Catatonic Excitement
- Frenzied and purposeless movements accompanied by incoherent verbalizations and shouting
Why does a patient in catatonic excitement require urgent medical attention?
They require physical and medical control due to destructive and violent behavior to others. Excitement may cause them to injure themselves or collapse from exhaustion
Paranoid Schizophrenia Onset
Mid to late 20s-30s
Characteristics of Paranoid Schizophrenia
Undifferentiated Schizophrenia Onset
Begins early and has insidious onset (early to middle teens)