Think about a client with schizophrenia that you know about from personal, work or clinical experience, or from news media or other sources. Describe the individual.
What are the positive and/or negative symptoms?
What are the person’s struggles? What treatments have been tried and failed? What works?
If you were that person, what would you like to tell your nurse about yourself, your needs, and your fears?
Please provide evidence from professional sources to support your information. Include examples of your prior experience with a client who was having a problem with delusions and/or hallucinations.
__________________
Schizophrenia is a mental illness that affects about 1% of the population worldwide. The illness usually starts in the late teens to early 20s for men and early to mid-20s for women. It is characterized by a combination of positive and negative symptoms that can be very disabling.
Positive symptoms of schizophrenia include delusions, hallucinations, and disordered thinking. Delusions are false beliefs that are firmly held despite evidence to the contrary. Hallucinations are experiences of hearing, seeing, feeling, smelling, or tasting things that are not there. Disordered thinking can manifest as speech that is difficult to follow or make sense of.
Negative symptoms of schizophrenia include emotional flatness, social withdrawal, lack of motivation, and difficulty expressing pleasure. These symptoms can be more difficult to treat than positive symptoms and can cause significant impairment in social and occupational functioning.
A client with schizophrenia may struggle with maintaining relationships, employment, and daily living skills due to the symptoms of the illness. They may also experience side effects from medication, such as weight gain, drowsiness, or movement disorders.
The treatments for schizophrenia include medication and therapy. Antipsychotic medication is the mainstay of treatment for positive symptoms, while psychosocial interventions such as cognitive-behavioral therapy can help with negative symptoms and improve social functioning.
It can be challenging for individuals with schizophrenia to communicate their needs and fears due to the nature of the illness. They may feel stigmatized, afraid, or overwhelmed by their symptoms. As a nurse, it is essential to create a safe and supportive environment for the client to express their concerns and work collaboratively to develop a treatment plan that meets their needs.
In my prior experience, I have worked with a client who was experiencing delusions and hallucinations. The client believed that they were being followed by the government and that their thoughts were being monitored. Through medication management and supportive therapy, we were able to help the client manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life.
