Schizophrenia

What is Schizophrenia?

A mental illness which affects the way you think.The symptoms may affect how you cope with day to day life. It is normally when a person cannot distinguish their own thoughts and ideas from reality.

Symptoms of Schizophrenia

Expressing incorrect emotions in social situations Hallucinations Delusions Lack of emotions Becoming socially withdrawn Lack of interest in regular activities Changes in sleeping patterns Unpredictable behaviour Confused thoughts Lack of care in appearance/hygiene

Causes of Schizophrenia

Exact causes of schizophrenia are unknown but research suggests that causes of schizophrenia are;GeneticsBrain developmentNeurotransmittersPregnancy and birth complications

Treatment for Schizophrenia

Anti-psychotic drugs Neuroleptic drugs Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Arts Therapy Family Therapy Counselling

Lifestyle Changes

improved nutrition through fish oil rich foods adopt/maintain a generally healthy lifestyle reduce hours at work reference to lowering stress levels take regular exercise maintaining exercise avoiding (illegal) drugs avoiding alcohol adequate sleep adopt a routine to help with medication administration

Physical Impacts

On patient - lack energy for everyday tasks such as not looking after family, may have a risk of suicide or harm themselves when behaving irrationally, will have to watch for signs of relapseOn family - may not be able to sleep because they are worried, will have to watch for signs of relapse 

Intellectual Impacts

On patient - may be unable to concentrate at work at school, may perform worse than peersOn family - children may find it difficult, parents may be unable to concentrate at work

Emotional Impacts

On patient - could become upset/angry because their brain is telling them something different, may become suspicious of those around them, could become agitatedOn family - may find it difficult to stay calm or relaxed, may find it hard to support the client with their illness, could become concerned with the health and well-being of the patient

Social Impacts

On patient - family/friends may not want to interact with them, may find it difficult to keep close relationships, could become withdrawn/isolated, majority of contact will be with health care professionals, may feel uncomfortable around others.On family - may not be able to go to work so will have a loss in their salary and might have to claim benefits

Patient Centred Approach

putting the patient at the centre of the process enabling the patient to make informed choices, give informed consent and be empowered to access health care services. enabling the patient to make informed choices, give informed consent and be empowered to access health care services. respecting the patient’s views making the patient an equal partner in decision making recognising ways in which the patient can take responsibility for their own health care supporting the patient to make health and/or lifestyle changes

Patient Care Pathway

Starts at GP where patient is referred to CMHT. Will receive psychological treatment by community psychiatric nurse Could have outpatient care at hospital where the patient is treated with medication or psychological treatment May be sectioned at hospital or to a mental health hospital (when patient is on the verge of self harming) If GP thinks that it is an emergency then they will be transferred to hospital ASAP to receive emergency inpatient care Overall, patient will be learn how to manage with living with Schizophrenia. Will have to make appropriate lifestyle changes e.g - regular exercise, avoiding alcohol. Patient will have continuous hospital appointments and support