Case Report- Paranoid Schizophrenia
Case Report- Paranoid Schizophrenia
Background Information
1. Outline the major symptoms of the disorder discussed in the case. Schizophrenia is a complex and incapacitating disorder. It is a disorder marked by significant disturbance in thoughts, perceptions, and moods. The onset of Schizophrenia is said to occur gradually. Symptoms are classified as positive and negative. Positive symptoms or overt behavior not normal in normal individuals include delusions (beliefs that are not reality based), hallucinations (visual and or auditory; sometimes weighted in the individual’s unique cultural experiences), and incongruent or illogical language (Kohn, n.d.). Negative symptoms or absent behaviors associated with normal individuals include “flat” affect or mood, social isolation or withdrawal, and lack of spontaneity (Kohn, n.d.). This disorder has four sub-types, all of which has its own prominent feature. The subtypes are Catatonic (marked by bizarre motor behavior), Paranoid (marked by a significant suspiciousness and a strong sense of persecution), Disorganized (fragmented or illogical speech), and Undifferentiated (having mixed or more than one symptom) (Kohn, n.d.).
2. Briefly describe the client’s background. Valerie had a normal childhood and was good at work and school. She went to college and graduate school and got married. In Valerie’s late 20’s she began developing delusions of persecution, reference, and grandeur. Because of these delusions Valerie’s husband and church pastor had her committed to a mental institution. Valerie was placed on different medications, and after more than eight years Valerie was able to accept her diagnosis of schizophrenia. Once she accepted the diagnosis doctors could stabilize her medications. Valerie is able to hold a steady job since she is medicated properly and has her symptoms under control. Valerie once had dreams of traveling and getting her PhD, but she is now content just going to
Background Information
1. Outline the major symptoms of the disorder discussed in the case. Schizophrenia is a complex and incapacitating disorder. It is a disorder marked by significant disturbance in thoughts, perceptions, and moods. The onset of Schizophrenia is said to occur gradually. Symptoms are classified as positive and negative. Positive symptoms or overt behavior not normal in normal individuals include delusions (beliefs that are not reality based), hallucinations (visual and or auditory; sometimes weighted in the individual’s unique cultural experiences), and incongruent or illogical language (Kohn, n.d.). Negative symptoms or absent behaviors associated with normal individuals include “flat” affect or mood, social isolation or withdrawal, and lack of spontaneity (Kohn, n.d.). This disorder has four sub-types, all of which has its own prominent feature. The subtypes are Catatonic (marked by bizarre motor behavior), Paranoid (marked by a significant suspiciousness and a strong sense of persecution), Disorganized (fragmented or illogical speech), and Undifferentiated (having mixed or more than one symptom) (Kohn, n.d.).
2. Briefly describe the client’s background. Valerie had a normal childhood and was good at work and school. She went to college and graduate school and got married. In Valerie’s late 20’s she began developing delusions of persecution, reference, and grandeur. Because of these delusions Valerie’s husband and church pastor had her committed to a mental institution. Valerie was placed on different medications, and after more than eight years Valerie was able to accept her diagnosis of schizophrenia. Once she accepted the diagnosis doctors could stabilize her medications. Valerie is able to hold a steady job since she is medicated properly and has her symptoms under control. Valerie once had dreams of traveling and getting her PhD, but she is now content just going to