Schizophrenia Disease ? Treatment of Schizophrenia

 Tips  No Responses »
Nov 052010
 

Schizophrenia is a debilitating mental illness that affects 1% of the population. Despite intensive study, its molecular etiology remains enigmatic. Like many common diseases, schizophrenia is multifactor in origin, with both genetic and environmental contributions likely playing an important role in the manifestation of symptoms. Recent advances based on pharmacological studies, brain imaging analyses, and genetic research are now converging on tantalizing leads that point to a central role for several neurotransmitters, including dopamine, glutamate, and serotonin, that may interface with neurodevelopment defects reflecting disease-related genetic aberrations.

Some popular novels, plays and movies have encouraged us to think of schizophrenia in extremely narrow and dramatic terms. Schizophrenia has been presented quite often in terms of the split personality, two seemingly individual and separate people living within the same body.

“Schizophrenia is a cruel disease. The lives of those affected are often chronicles of constricted experiences, muted emotions, missed opportunities, unfulfilled expectations. It leads to a twilight existence, a twentieth-century underground man… It is in fact the single biggest blemish on the face of contemporary American medicine and social services; when the social history of our era is written, the plight of persons with schizophrenia will be recorded as having been a national scandal.”

Treatment

1) Individuals with schizophrenia die at a younger age than do healthy people. Males have a 5.1 greater than expected early mortality rate than the general population, and females have a 5.6 greater risk of early death. Suicide is the single largest contributor to this excess mortality rate, which is 10 to 13 percent higher in schizophrenia than the general population.

2) It is critical that people with schizophrenia stay in treatment even after recovering from an acute episode. About 80 percent of those who stop taking their medications after an acute episode will have a relapse within one year, whereas only 30 percent of those who continue their medications will experience a relapse in the same time period.

3) Schizophrenia appears to be a combination of a thought disorder, mood disorder, and anxiety disorder. The medical management of schizophrenia often requires a combination of antipsychotic, antidepressant, and antianxiety medication. One of the biggest challenges of treatment is that many people don’t keep taking the medications prescribed for the disorder. Medication therapies as well as numerous psychological rehabilitation programs are the mainstays of treatment. To learn more about non-drug therapies, click on the “Helping Yourself” button at the top of this page. Goals of therapy are to reduce schizophrenic symptoms, prevent return of symptoms, minimize side effects from medications, and help the individual function more normally in society.

4) Psychotherapy is not the treatment of choice for someone with schizophrenia. Used as an adjunct to a good medication plan, however, psychotherapy can help maintain the individual on their medication, learn needed social skills, and support the person’s weekly goals and activities in their community. This may include advice, reassurance, education, modeling, limit setting, and reality testing with the therapist. Encouragement in setting small goals and reaching them can often be helpful.

5) One of the most effective tools in treating schizophrenia is by Programs for Assertive Community Treatment, an intensive team effort in local communities to help people stay out of the hospital and live independently. Serving as a hospital without walls, PACT professionals are available around the clock and meet their clients where they live, providing at-home support at whatever level is needed, for whatever problems need to be solved. Professionals can make sure that clients are taking their medication and help them meet the challenges of daily life – every day tasks ranging from grocery shopping and keeping doctor appointments to managing money and getting along with others.

Mental Illness: Disease or Choice?

 Mental Health  No Responses »
Nov 022010
 

Is it true that Dr. William Glasser’s Choice Theory doesn’t believe in mental illness? Of course not! However, that is what many believe and some don’t give his ideas credence because they think he is wrong about that. This article is my humble attempt to explain exactly what Dr. Glasser means when he says he believes in mental health, not mental illness. This article should be particularly helpful to those of you who work in the helping professions or those of you with family members who have been diagnosed with any type of mental disorder.

I’m asking you to take a journey with me into the realm of possibility. What if what we believe about mental illness is wrong in much the same way people in Columbus’ day believed the world was flat? And if it’s possible our conceptualization about mental illness is wrong, then it logically follows that perhaps we need to look at treatment differently.

My goal in this issue is not to change your mind about what you think and believe, but merely to present another possibility. Take a journey with me into an alternative explanation and see where it takes us . . .

Choice theory has two concepts that are central to this discussion. One is the concept of total behavior and the other is our creative system. I’ll start with total behavior. Glasser says all behavior is total, meaning it consists of four inseparable components-your actions, your thinking, your feelings and your body’s physiology. All of these components occur simultaneously, even when you are more aware of one of them.

You only have direct control over two of these components. No matter how hard you try, you will not be able to change your feelings or your body’s physiology without first changing your actions or your thinking. You may not believe you have control over your thinking because sometimes certain thoughts enter our minds unbidden. However, once you learn how, you can direct your thoughts from unwanted topics to healthier ones.

When we want something we don’t have, we are driven to create a behavior designed to get us what we want. Sometimes, we rely on behaviors we’ve used in the past that were effective. Other times we create a new behavior. Whatever our choice, we are choosing the best behavior available to us at the time to get what we want.

When it comes to mental health symptoms, many believe that an imbalance in our body’s chemistry causes the unusual behavior or thinking. But what if the “crazy” behavior and thinking over an extended period of time actually causes the chemical imbalance instead? Isn’t it at least possible? Isn’t it exercising that releases endorphins into our blood? It’s not the endorphins that make us exercise. Isn’t it thoughts of bodily harm that releases the chemical adrenaline into our blood stream when we are scared? It’s not the adrenaline that makes us scared, is it?

And what about those diagnoses that don’t have a known chemical imbalance? What about Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or Dissociative Identity Disorder. These are groups of symptoms that develop during a serious crisis that serve us in that moment. In Choice Theory, Glasser would say they become organized behavior. In neurology, it might be said that neurons that fire together wire together. This means that once we produce a behavior and repeat it over time, it basically becomes the path of least resistance and when confronted with similar circumstances, we will default to our typical way of handling it.

So, if someone has developed a behavior that works for them to get something they want, then they are more likely to choose that behavior in the future. It is difficult to think of mental health symptoms as having any positive benefit to them. Why would someone choose such thoughts and behaviors?

Currently, there is a concept I hear more and more in psychology called secondary gain. Mental health professionals are recognizing that there often is some pay off for mental health clients in their symptomotology. It might get the client attention. It may abdicate them of daily responsibility. It might get them SSI benefits. They may be able to avoid unpleasant situations and keep undesirables at arm’s length. The list goes on and on. Couldn’t it at least be possible that these are not actually secondary gains, but rather the reason the symptoms developed in the first place?

Couldn’t it be that a person learned that being sad got them attention so they developed the behavior of depression? Couldn’t it be that a person learns anxiety gets them out of doing certain undesirable things? Once we experience a benefit, the behavior is more likely to become hard wired and therefore repeated, even long after it stops being effective.

Once of the criticisms of Glasser’s theory is that no one would actively choose to be neurotic or psychotic or personality disordered. Glasser never said it was a conscious choice. Most people suffering with mental health disorders are truly suffering, unaware there is any choice in the matter. Our current approach to treatment basically reinforces this image of mental health clients as victims.

I don’t know about you, but I want my clients to know there is a choice. They didn’t know it before. But if they understand now how symptoms can develop out of satisfying some need the had, then treatment becomes a matter of teaching them more responsible ways of getting those needs met.

Policy Changes and Disease Management: Keys to Halting Premature Death of the Mentally Ill

 Mental Health  No Responses »
Oct 212010
 

Mental illness is a mysterious condition in our world. As more information is found about mental disabilities, the more mysterious they become. Recently more research has shown worse news for those with mental illness. According to the National Council Fact Sheet, mental illness may be linked to a premature death for some. Those with serious mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and major clinical depression seem to die, on average, 25 years earlier than normal.
The cause of these premature deaths is yet unknown, but there are certain conditions that may point to an answer. For example, sixty percent of the premature deaths of those with schizophrenia involved cardiovascular conditions or pulmonary and infectious diseases. The linkage of mental illness and premature death is made worse by those with serious mental illness having less access to treatment for physical health conditions.
However, there is still work that can be done to aid with the problem of premature death of those with serious mental illnesses. Policy makers can provide assistance by creating programs that make more resources available to help give those with mental illnesses access to better physical healthcare. One example of such as policy change would be to require those providing public mental health to assess the mental and physical health of a patient.
Louisiana and Missouri have taken strides by financing the linking of mental and physical health treatment. Funding has gone to promote integrated healthcare between mental health and primary care providers in the states. Other state legislatures should follow in step by creating a link between public healthcare and mental healthcare. This would require the creation of new infrastructure in both industries.
Besides creating policy changes, the premature death of the mentally ill can be curbed through management of mental diseases. Although treatment for such diseases may not be possible, carefully monitoring may aid in catching problems leading to premature death. Typical medical care is not adequate for such instances and sometimes misses the needs of mentally ill patients.
To manage mental illnesses, planned care needs to be provided. This may require reorganizing provider roles and common practices in order to focus on new problem areas. Also, patients should be encouraged to manage their own disease. This would require careful training and easier access to those trained in monitoring mental illness.
One way to acquire the above goals is to implement a disease management program or DM program. These programs aid those with persistent medical problems and provide greater quality with lower cost. In these programs, patients are given education on self management and healthcare is coordinate across the spectrum. The adoption of DM has been encouraged by the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services and is currently used for asthma, diabetes, hypertension and other chronic medical conditions. The implementation of such a practice to those with mental illnesses is not a far step.
Dealing daily with a mental illness is enough of a struggle for patients and families without the addition of linking early death to mental illness. The research and prevention of this problem is crucial and hinges on changes in policy and practice. These policy changes will aid in helping researchers find the links between mental illness and premature death. The method used to find these links will not only improve the physical health of the mentally ill but will, in the case of DM programs, also give them the ability to manage the disease that plagues them daily.

Mental Health – Causes and Symptoms

 Mental Health  No Responses »
Aug 292010
 

Our mental health can vary according to our conditions and can change over our lives, does in the same way as our physical health.
Mental health problems are among the most common of all health conditions, directly affecting about a quarter of the population in one year. Depression and anxiety are the most common conditions.
Mental health – the type of dementia
Dementia is the loss of intellectual functions such as thinking, memory and thinking, which is severe enough to interfere with a person’s daily life. Dementia is not a disease in itself but rather a group of symptoms that accompany certain diseases or conditions. Symptoms may include changes in personality, mood and behavior.
Causes of Dementia
• vascular diseases, such as multi-infarct dementia caused by several strokes in the brain
• Depression
• infections of the central nervous system such as meningitis, HIV, and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, a rapidly progressive and fatal disease that is characterized by dementia and muscle twitching and cramping
Causes of mental health disease
Although the exact cause of most mental disorders is not known, it is always through the research that many are clear from these conditions by a combination of biological, psychological and environmental factors caused.
Symptoms of a mental health disorder
ACTING differently than usual. Can you link this change in behavior to something that has happened recently? Each event, such as trigger the death of a close relative, or even something positive – like a promotion of employment – can be a troublesome emotional reaction.
Is aggressive, rude and abusive OVER minor incidents.
Are there any comments on groups or individuals “come to me?” If that last remark was made in all seriousness, and explosions occur and violent physical behavior can, there is a strong indication that some help may be required.
The major symptoms which trigger mental health concerns have to work with the person’s ability. When she suddenly missing a lot of work, school or job losses, not to eat or eat too much sleep or not sleep hardly at all, and seem irritated or angry at everything and everyone, these are usually early symptoms of mental health issues. The symptoms may progress of the individual self-harm such as cutting or burning themselves and unnecessary risks to do with their security. Any significant change can be drastic a symptom of a mental problem
Ffailure to social norms with respect to lawful behaviors as indicated by repeatedly performing acts, the reasons for detention are in conformity
Deceitfulness, as indicated repeated lying, use of aliases, or conning others for personal profit or pleasure

Important Mental Health Causes and Symptoms

 Mental Health  No Responses »
Aug 282010
 

Our mental health can vary according to our conditions and can change over our lives, does in the same way as our physical health.
Mental health problems are among the most common of all health conditions, directly affecting about a quarter of the population in one year. Depression and anxiety are the most common conditions.
Anxiety disorders – Mental Health
Anxiety disorders can take many forms. They are free-floating anxiety without knowing exactly why you experience the feeling that. You can suffer from sudden, intense panic attacks that strike without warning. Their fear may come in the form of extreme social inhibition or in unwanted obsessions and compulsions. Or you have a phobia of an object or a situation that obviously do not care about other people.
Symtoms of anxiety disorders
• anxiety, restlessness and anxiety
• impaired concentration or selective attention
• restless or on edge
Mental health – the type of dementia
Dementia is the loss of intellectual functions such as thinking, memory and thinking, which is severe enough to interfere with a person’s daily life. Dementia is not a disease in itself but rather a group of symptoms that accompany certain diseases or conditions. Symptoms may include changes in personality, mood and behavior.
Causes of Dementia
• vascular diseases, such as multi-infarct dementia caused by several strokes in the brain
• Depression
• infections of the central nervous system such as meningitis, HIV, and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, a rapidly progressive and fatal disease that is characterized by dementia and muscle twitching and cramping
Causes of mental health disease
Although the exact cause of most mental disorders is not known, it is always through the research that many are clear from these conditions by a combination of biological, psychological and environmental factors caused.
Symptoms of a mental health disorder
ACTING differently than usual. Can you link this change in behavior to something that has happened recently? Each event, such as trigger the death of a close relative, or even something positive – like a promotion of employment – can be a troublesome emotional reaction.
Is aggressive, rude and abusive OVER minor incidents. Are there any comments on groups or individuals “come to me?” If that last remark was made in all seriousness, and explosions occur and violent physical behavior can, there is a strong indication that some help may be required.
The major symptoms which trigger mental health concerns have to work with the person’s ability. When she suddenly missing a lot of work, school or job losses, not to eat or eat too much sleep or not sleep hardly at all, and seem irritated or angry at everything and everyone, these are usually early symptoms of mental health issues. The symptoms may progress of the individual self-harm such as cutting or burning themselves and unnecessary risks to do with their security. Any significant change can be drastic a symptom of a mental problem
A violation of social norms with respect to lawful behaviors as indicated by repeatedly performing acts that are grounds for arrest Compliant
Deceitfulness, as indicated repeated lying, use of aliases, or conning others for personal profit or pleasure

Proven Ways to Treat Mental Illness

 Mental Health  No Responses »
Aug 272010
 

Mental disorders are diseases that interfere with a person’s thinking, feeling, mood, ability, relationships with others, and daily functioning. Mental illnesses can affect persons of any age, race, religion or income. Mental illnesses are not the result of personal weakness, lack of character or poor upbringing. Mental illness is an illness like physical illness. Disorders categories of diagnoses in these systems can also mood disorders, anxiety disorders, psychosis, eating disorders, developmental disorders, personality disorders, and many other categories. Generally recognized categories of anxiety disorders include specific phobia, generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, agoraphobia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post traumatic stress disorder. Psychotic disorders center with this domain include Schizophrenia and delusional disorder. Definitions, assessments, and classification of mental disorders can vary, but guideline criterion in the ICD, DSM and other manuals are frequently performed accepted by mental health professionals. The recognition and understanding of mental disorders over time changed. Family Mental illness can affect people of all ages, children, adolescents, adults and older people, and they can occur in any family. Members can play a key role in the identification and treatment of Teen playing with a mental illness, with family members themselves often need help and support. You can be a better friend, adding to signs and symptoms of mental illness, and then someone to help you do achieve some of the following people: family doctor or pediatrician, school counselor or teachers, parents and other family members, psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers or the emergency room of the nearest hospital. The next time you and your family members you visit your doctor or psychologist, discuss these behaviors and the development of a strategy to address them. Family awareness, early detection and prevention are often the first steps to effective treatments. Symptoms Today, we classify mental illness to the symptoms a person experiences and the clinical symptoms of the disease, such as feeling hopeless or delusional. But when we have a clearer understanding of how to win certain genes interact with illnesses or behaviors continue, we may be able to a much more sophisticated classification system that is connected directly to a biological cause of mental illness rather than symptoms only connected. For example, some diseases have similar symptoms and clinical features but are actually very different in terms of the underlying biology. So, symptoms, behavior or our mental lives clearly reflect work related variations or abnormalities in the brain. Persons involved in a serious mental illness present with a variety of symptoms, and inappropriate anxiety, disturbances of thought and perception and cognitive dysfunction. Often it is a good idea to first describe the symptoms and / or problems to your family doctor or clergy. Treatment The treatment may also psychotherapy (individual, family, groups), provided skills programs (learning, social skills, behavior), and psychiatric medications, and in a variety of inpatient, outpatient or day treatment settings are available. This can also special schools, residential placements, hospitals, private offices, clinics or the community. Psychotherapy and psychiatric medication are two major treatment options, as well as supporting activities. Most people diagnosed with a serious mental disorder can alleviate their symptoms by actively participating in an individual treatment plan. Without treatment the consequences of mental illness for the individual and society are staggering: unnecessary disability, unemployment, drug abuse, homelessness, inappropriate incarceration, suicide and wasted lives; The economic costs of untreated mental illness more than $ 100 billion each year in the States. Early detection and treatment is essential, supported by ensuring access to treatment and recovery that are demonstrably effective, accelerated recovery and further damage is minimized in connection with the course of the disease.

 Older Entries  Newer Entries