mental health 6

win

Working in the psych unit exposed me to so many patients with schizophrenia. The generally depicted chronic mental disorder is characterized by a range of symptoms that affect their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. It is usually characterized by a combination of symptoms that can include hallucinations, delusions, disorganized thinking and speech, reduced emotional expression, social withdrawal, and cognitive difficulties.

The symptoms of Schizophrenia can be categorized into positive, negative, and cognitive functions.

· Positive symptoms include hallucinations, delusions, disorganized thinking and speech, and abnormal motor behavior.

·     Negative symptoms involve a decrease or absence of normal functioning. These may include reduced emotional expression, social withdrawal, diminished motivation, and difficulties with speech and communication.

·     The struggles of individuals with schizophrenia can vary, but familiar challenges include social isolation, difficulties in employment or education, and problems with self-care. Treatment approaches for schizophrenia involve medication, psychotherapy, and social support. Antipsychotic medications are commonly prescribed to manage symptoms. Psychotherapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), can help individuals manage symptoms, cope with stress, and improve social and occupational functioning.

·     If I were that person, I would like to tell my nurse about my experiences, needs, and fears. I might express the need for understanding and support, as well as the importance of having a trusting and empathetic relationship with my nurse.

Reference:

Doenges, M. E., Moorhouse, M. F., & Murr, A. C. (2019).  Nursing care plans: Guidelines for individualizing client care across the life span (10th ed.). F.A. Davis.

sam

I've worked at a facility where I had the chance to assist with the care of a 49-year-old resident who had schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. The patient was diagnosed with schizophrenia when she was 39 years old. She dropped out of university and never got a job. The patient lived with her parents until she was 42 years old. They admitted her into a long-term facility because they could no longer care for her. She showed some positive symptoms, such as paranoia, delusions, and perceptions that were not based on reality. She also showed some negative symptoms, such as loss of motivation, feelings of emptiness, and apathy. She was often incoherent and had a flat affect. Following her train of thought was a bit tricky. She would sometimes say that we were after her life and we wanted to kill her. She isolated herself from other people in the facility; she would also refuse to take her meals. She experienced difficulties in controlling her emotions, she had struggles with her boundaries, and she did not accept her condition. She felt terrible that she was not living everyday lives like other people. She was often on medication (Olanzapine) due to undesired weight gain and insufficient therapeutic response. If I were the patient, I would want my nurse to understand that I once lived an everyday life, and the current condition is not my choice to be schizophrenic. I would let the nurse know that I am afraid of losing myself or my life to the disease. 

Reference Varcarolis, E. M. (2016). Essentials of psychiatric mental health nursing: A communication approach to evidence-based care. Elsevier Health Sciences.

win

Working in the psych unit exposed me to so many patients with schizophrenia. The generally depicted chronic mental disorder is characterized by a range of symptoms that affect their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. It is usually characterized by a combination of symptoms that can include hallucinations, delusions, disorganized thinking and speech, reduced emotional expression, social withdrawal, and cognitive difficulties.

The symptoms of Schizophrenia can be categorized into positive, negative, and cognitive functions.

· Positive symptoms include hallucinations, delusions, disorganized thinking and speech, and abnormal motor behavior.

·     Negative symptoms involve a decrease or absence of normal functioning. These may include reduced emotional expression, social withdrawal, diminished motivation, and difficulties with speech and communication.

·     The struggles of individuals with schizophrenia can vary, but familiar challenges include social isolation, difficulties in employment or education, and problems with self-care. Treatment approaches for schizophrenia involve medication, psychotherapy, and social support. Antipsychotic medications are commonly prescribed to manage symptoms. Psychotherapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), can help individuals manage symptoms, cope with stress, and improve social and occupational functioning.

·     If I were that person, I would like to tell my nurse about my experiences, needs, and fears. I might express the need for understanding and support, as well as the importance of having a trusting and empathetic relationship with my nurse.

Reference:

Doenges, M. E., Moorhouse, M. F., & Murr, A. C. (2019).  Nursing care plans: Guidelines for individualizing client care across the life span (10th ed.). F.A. Davis.

sam

I've worked at a facility where I had the chance to assist with the care of a 49-year-old resident who had schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. The patient was diagnosed with schizophrenia when she was 39 years old. She dropped out of university and never got a job. The patient lived with her parents until she was 42 years old. They admitted her into a long-term facility because they could no longer care for her. She showed some positive symptoms, such as paranoia, delusions, and perceptions that were not based on reality. She also showed some negative symptoms, such as loss of motivation, feelings of emptiness, and apathy. She was often incoherent and had a flat affect. Following her train of thought was a bit tricky. She would sometimes say that we were after her life and we wanted to kill her. She isolated herself from other people in the facility; she would also refuse to take her meals. She experienced difficulties in controlling her emotions, she had struggles with her boundaries, and she did not accept her condition. She felt terrible that she was not living everyday lives like other people. She was often on medication (Olanzapine) due to undesired weight gain and insufficient therapeutic response. If I were the patient, I would want my nurse to understand that I once lived an everyday life, and the current condition is not my choice to be schizophrenic. I would let the nurse know that I am afraid of losing myself or my life to the disease. 

Reference Varcarolis, E. M. (2016). Essentials of psychiatric mental health nursing: A communication approach to evidence-based care. Elsevier Health Sciences.