Discussion: Scholarly article review guideline

Running head: NEGATIVE SYMPTOMS IN SCHIZOPHRENIA 1

NR: 326 Mental Health RUA

Negative Symptoms in Schizophrenia

Chamberlain University

Jaime Montelione

Fall 2018

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NEGATIVE SYMPTOMS IN SCHIZOPHRENIA 2

Introduction

Mental health illnesses affect many people worldwide among them is schizophrenia

which is a chronic mental health disorder affecting a person’s brain. Patients with schizophrenia

can experience various symptoms as well as functional impairments. Symptoms include

delusions, trouble concentrating and hallucinations (Parekha,2017). Schizophrenia also interferes

with activities of daily living, social interactions, and occupational performance. Most patients

will require financial assistance to help support themselves because only a very low percentage

of people are able to work full or part-time jobs. In fact, only 10-20% of patients with

schizophrenia can work at all. It is imperative to improve the functional outcomes for these

patients and make it a mental health priority (Velligan & Alphs, 2014).

Article Summary

This article concentrates on current methods for evaluating negative symptoms of

schizophrenia and treatments that are presently used for the patients who demonstrate these

negative symptoms. Attributes of negative symptoms are clarified by a diminished emotional

responsiveness, socialization, motivation, movement, and speech (Velligan & Alphs, 2014).

These are all identified with the pathophysiology of schizophrenia or subsidiary of different

symptoms of medications, other ailments or the environment. For instance, symptoms like

akinesia and blunted affect are created by antipsychotic medications. A depressed patient may

encounter symptoms of social withdrawal, anhedonia and a decrease in motivation (Velligan &

Alphs, 2014).

As indicated by the article negative symptoms can be evaluated by the Negative

Symptom Assessment. This assessment tool aids in finding the presence, severity and the range

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NEGATIVE SYMPTOMS IN SCHIZOPHRENIA 3

of negative symptoms frequently connected with schizophrenia (NSA, 2017). The Negative

Symptom Assessment is derived from a table of 16 domains displaying the areas of negative

symptoms which describe the behaviors that might be observed in each domain. Additionally,

important questions are asked with regard to the patient’s day to day activities and engagement

with others. However, this assessment is not useful for routine use in a public outpatient setting.

In order to be able to identify negative symptoms in this setting, a two 4-item version of the

negative symptom rating scale is utilized to rapidly distinguish and record symptoms (Velligan &

Alphs, 2014).

There are other possibilities for treatment which are generally founded on elements that

cause the symptoms. An example would be if the patient's negative symptoms are due to taking

an antipsychotic drug or extrapyramidal syndrome. In these cases, the symptoms can be

diminished by decreasing the dosage of the particular medication currently being taken or by

prescribing a different antipsychotic drug to the patient that will produce fewer EPS.

Additionally, if the patient's symptoms are resulting from depression then treatment of

depression will need to be considered. The article goes on to say that if antipsychotic

medications, adjunctive treatments, and psychosocial interventions are used in conjunction these

can improve negative symptom outcomes better than pharmacotherapy alone. In fact, studies

have shown that 80% of patients with schizophrenia who used combined therapy displayed

improvement in functional abilities such as daily activities, more engagement in the outside

world and overall took better care of themselves (Velligan & Alphs, 2014).

This author believes this article can be useful as an educational tool providing caregivers,

medical personnel, and nurses essential information regarding negative symptoms, assessment

and treatment options for schizophrenia. Additionally, the article can even be used as a good

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NEGATIVE SYMPTOMS IN SCHIZOPHRENIA 4

study source for students providing information about negative symptoms of schizophrenia that a

textbook may not provide.

Article Critique

This article provides relevant information with regards to the negative symptoms of

schizophrenia. It explains the assessment process and treatment options in a brief manner while

providing the reader with up to date information allowing them to enhance their knowledge of

the illness. Despite the fact that this article essentially centers around the negative symptoms of

schizophrenia it does not provide any information in regards to positive symptoms of

schizophrenia. For individuals learning about this illness for the first time, they may feel

something is absent from this article. This author believes if the article provided a brief

description of both negative and positive symptoms of schizophrenia and comparison of the two

it would make for a clearer understanding of the illness.

Conclusion

As with all mental illnesses, schizophrenia not only affects the life of the patient it also

impacts the lives of the people who care for them. Educating families about schizophrenia and its

negative symptoms displayed by the patient such as poor motivation and flat affect can help

decrease the likelihood of family members being critical of these behaviors (Velligan & Alphs,

2014). Unfortunately, negative symptoms are difficult to treat and often tend to continue longer

than positive symptoms. Recognizing symptoms is critical in order to properly treat and manage

the illness. As stated in the article the best treatment outcome results when antipsychotic

medications and psychosocial interventions like social skills training and environmental support

are instilled (Velligan & Alphs, 2014).

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NEGATIVE SYMPTOMS IN SCHIZOPHRENIA 5

References

Parekh, R., M.D., M.P.H. (2017, July). What Is Schizophrenia? Retrieved December 6, 2018,

from https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/schizophrenia/what-is-schizophrenia

Negative Symptom Assessment (NSA-16). (n.d.). Retrieved December 6, 2018, from

https://eprovide.mapi-trust.org/instruments/negative-symptom-assessment#review_copy

Velligan, D. I., & Alphs, L. D. (2014). Negative Symptoms in Schizophrenia: An Update on

Identification and Treatment. Psychiatric times, 31(11), 1-6.

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