Schizophrenia Case Analysis

Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a group of severe brain disorders in which people interpret reality abnormally. Schizophrenia and related disorders include various types of psychotic symptoms, as well as other symptoms. The symptoms of schizophrenia fall into three broad categories: positive symptoms, negative symptoms, and cognitive symptoms. Positive symptoms are psychotic behaviors not seen in healthy people; people with positive symptoms often "lose touch" with reality. Negative symptoms are associated with disruptions to normal emotions and behaviors. These symptoms are harder to recognize as part of the disorder and can be mistaken for depression or other conditions. Cognitive symptoms are subtle. Like negative symptoms, cognitive symptoms may be difficult to recognize as part of the disorder. Often, they are detected only when other tests are performed. A careful evaluation of symptoms presented by the patient is essential for a correct diagnosis. Determining the cause of psychotic symptoms is vital in developing a treatment plan and predicting outcome. Schizophrenia is a chronic condition, requiring lifelong treatment.

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) provides a classification of mental disorders, criteria sets to guide the process of differential diagnosis, and numerical codes for each disorder to facilitate medical record keeping. The DSM IV models aids in the diagnosis of the disorders by using a multi-axial system of classification (Franklin, 2010). The DSM IV has five key areas called axes by which classification is determined. Axe one is the record of diagnosis. Axe two is the record of long standing personality problems or mental retardation. Axe three is the record of any medical condition(s) that psychologically affect the patient. Axe four is the record of any significant psychosocial or environmental problems that the patient may have experienced. The final axe is the record of assessment for...