CONTINUOUS SCHIZOPHRENIA PARANOID TYPE

Continuous Schizophrenia Paranoid Type



Continuous Schizophrenia Paranoid Type

Introduction

Schizophrenia is an extremely complex mental disorder: in fact it is probably many illnesses masquerading as one. A biochemical imbalance in the brain is believed to cause symptoms. Recent research reveals that schizophrenia may be a result of faulty neuronal development in the fetal brain, which develops into full-blown illness in late adolescence or early adulthood. In this paper we analysed the case study of Shonda who facing Continuous Schizophrenia Paranoid Type.

Analysis

From the case of Shonda it is observed that symptoms of schizophrenia are categorized into two major categories, the positive or hard symptoms which include delusion, hallucinations, and grossly disorganized thinking, speech, and behavior, and negative or soft symptoms as flat affect, lack of volition, and social withdrawal or discomfort. Medication treatment can control the positive symptoms but frequently the negative symptoms persist after positive symptoms have abated. The persistence of these negative symptoms over time presents a major barrier to recovery and improved the functioning of her daily life (Siever & Coursey, 1985).

In Shonda case it is found that the disturbance of schizophrenia involves the most basic functions that give the normal person a feeling of individuality, uniqueness, and self-direction. The most intimate thoughts, feelings, and acts are often felt to be known or shared by others. The diseased person may see him or herself as the pivot of all that happens. A period of depression sometimes precedes the first emergence of schizophrenia. Substance abuse is also quite common before the first psychotic break (Sarason Barbara R. Sarason, Irwin G, 1999).

A psychotic break is characterized by a lot of reality distortion a d disorganization or otherwise called positive symptoms. These positive symptoms include things like hallucinations, delusions, disorganized speech and thought, altered sense of self and often bizarre behavior. During a psychotic episode, people behave out of character and can be a danger to society as well as themselves. A person in this state is at loss from reality and may find it very difficult to speak in coherent sentences. The voices and delusions are very real to the individual. These symptoms are called positive because they are added onto the individual's experience and behavior (Fenton, 2000).

Although a Shonda may be diagnosed with schizophrenia, it is not always effective to stop there with the diagnosis. There are many forms in which the disease can manifest ...