Schizophrenia

1. This is the most commonly known and understood psychotic disorder.  It is characterized by these key factors:  a person must experience for at least a month at least two of the following:  delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, grossly disorganized or catatonic behavior, or negative symptoms.

2.  There is a lot of research to indicate that schizophrenia is a genetic disorder.

3.  Typically, these people are seen in two types of settings:  inpatient psychiatric, and community mental health.

4.  Approximately 50% of those that have schizophrenia also have a substance abuse disorder

5.  There are 3 main pillars of treatment:  mediation to relieve symptoms and prevent relapse, psychosocial interventions and vocational rehabilitation services.

6.  Some of the more common medications that your teacher sees with patients are: Vraylar; Abilify, Seroquel, Risperdal, and Haldol.

Schizophreniform

1.  Same criteria that Schizophrenia has, but the duration is shorter.  Schizophrenia has to last at least 6 months and Schizophreniform symptoms last less.  More than 1 month and less than 6 months.

Brief Psychotic Disorder

1.  Same symptoms, but even shorter time.  Less than 1 month.  Usually triggered by some traumatic event.  Has to be more than 1 day and less than 1 month.

Delusional disorder

1.  5 subtypes:  erotomanic type (believes that someone, often a celebrity, is in love with them) ;  grandiose type (believes that they have exceptional talent or groundbreaking innovation); Jealous type ( often believes that their partner is unfaithful); Persecutory type ( Others want to do the client harm); Somatic type (beliefs associated with bodily functions or sensations).

2.  Often, urinary tract infections in the elderly can cause some type of delusional disorder.

Schizoaffective disorder

1.  These people have both psychosis and a mood disorder( bi-polar normally)

Your assignment:  I gave you some highlights above, but i want you to research 2 things.  Compare and contrast treatment services for schizophrenic patients from the early 1980s to today’s services.  There are major changes that happened over the years and how we serve these people in our community.