Psychiatric Nursing - Introduction of Paranoid Schizophrenia Case Study

INTRODUCTION




Some people’s illnesses are so severe that they will always need asylum. A continuum of care is needed: from total freedom to total hospitalization, reflecting the diverse needs of mentally ill people. The pervasiveness of these maladies and the tremendous costs that they incur indicate a great need for psychiatric professionals, including nurses, today and in the foreseeable future.



This is a case of Schizophrenia, Paranoid type. Schizophrenia is a chronic mental illness. People with schizophrenia perceive and respond to the world as more other people do. Paranoid schizophrenia is a subtype of schizophrenia. The clinical picture is dominated by relatively stable, often paranoid, delusions, usually accompanied by hallucination, particularly of the auditory variety, and perceptual disturbances. Disturbances of affect, volition, and speech, and catatonic symptoms are not prominent.



Epidemiologic research has indicated that incidence is estimated to be 0.8% to 2.6% of the general population (APA, 2005). The disorders appear to be common among men than in women. Schizophrenia usually is diagnosed in late adolescence or early adulthood. The peak incidence of onset is 15 to 25 years of age fro men and 25 to 35 years of age for women (APA, 2000). Data about prognosis and long-term outcomes are limited because most people with paranoid type do not seek readily seek or remain in treatment.



The course of paranoid schizophrenia may be episodic, with partial or complete remissions, or chronic. In chronic cases, the florid symptoms persist over years and it is difficult to distinguish discrete episodes. The onset tends to be later than in the hebephrenic and catatonic forms.



The most common paranoid symptoms are delusion of persecution, reference, exalted birth, special mission, bodily change and jealousy; hallucinatory voices that threaten the patient or give commands, or auditory hallucinations without verbal form. Such as whistling, humming, and laughing; and hallucinations of smell or taste, or of sexual or bodily sensations; visual hallucinations may occur but are rarely predominant. Thought disorder may be obvious in acute states, but if so it does not prevent the typical delusions or hallucinations from being describe clearly. Affect is usually lees blunted than in other varieties of schizophrenia, but a minor degree of incongruity is common, as are mood disturbances such as irritability, sudden anger, fearfulness, and suspicion. “Negative” symptoms such as blunting of affect and impaired volition are often present but do not dominate the clinical picture.



Accurate assessment, diagnosis, interventions and evaluation by psychiatric nurses are essential in helping clients with schizophrenia attain more comfortable, safe and productive life and changes.



This case becomes part of our memorable experience that helped to mold the inner aspects of ourselves. Though, most of the patients failed to be strong, we know that God has plan for them. Thus, they need so much love, empathy and care since they are people who had trials and withdrawn themselves from pain and sufferings. Love, empathy and care will always be a part of the nursing profession.



We, as psychiatric professionals, should aid their pain and help them to feel the beauty of life.