Dr. R. D. Laing, a British psychiatrist wrote: “Schizophrenia cannot be understood without understanding despair.” This, to me, explains exactly how most Schizophrenics probably feel on a day to day basis between the crazy thoughts they hear, the way people perceive them and the way they perceive themselves dealing with all the voices and hallucinations. Some are probably desperate to feel normal while others have learned to cope with the disease and understand its something they will have lifelong but treatments may lessen the symptoms and make them feel
For a classification system to be useful it needs to be reliable. One problem is that of differential diagnosis, Bhui et al suggested symptoms of different mental disorders often overlap, exhibiting some symptoms of schizophrenia, e.g. major depressive disorder and schizophrenia both involve low levels of motivation. Therefore suggesting that there is no sharp dividing line between individuals with schizophrenia and those not suffering from the condition. Additionally, the existence of a disorder called Schizotypal personality disorder means that it is sometimes difficult to decide if a person has schizophrenia or schizotypal personality disorder further reducing the reliability with which schizophrenia is diagnosed.
The Physical symptoms were unknown to us. We thought it was the effects of old age. However the doctors helped us to identify his behavior of restlessness, slowness of speech, thought and making decisions; lack of energy; and changes in weight, appetite and sleep as depression. As a family, we observed him with the associated symptoms of depression. This included aches and pains, constant worry and he often dwelled on negative thoughts.
Anti-psychotic medications are indicated for schizophrenia, mania, autism and to treat the symptoms of psychosis. Symptoms of psychosis may include hallucinations, delusions, bizarre behavior, disorganized thinking, and agitation. Some of the typical antipsychotic medications such as chlorpromazine, are used as anti-emetics or for postoperative intractable hiccups. Antipsychotic medications administered orally have a variable rate of absorption complicated by the presence of food, antacids, and smoking. Administering antipsychotic medication with anticholinergic drugs will slow gastric motility.
The Released Life after prison is extremely difficult for the mentally ill. The PBS publication The Released documents how people who suffer from mental illnesses such as schizophrenia have a tremendously hard and often unsuccessful time with managing life after being released from prison. For schizophrenics like Jerry Tharp, sometimes even just the act of living is a hurdle. In the documentary, Jerry admitted to having harmed himself multiple times and tried more than once to take his own life. In prison however, Jerry was able to control his schizophrenia through monitored medication.
Symptoms of Depression and Medications Prescribed Depression is a mental illness that has become a major problem along with other disorders that are associated with depression. Individuals live everyday life and do not know they have a depressive disorder until they are diagnosed with it. Depression can have a broad range of causes that are concerning to the primary physicians and mental health counselors, and Psychiatrist Preston et al. (2013). John’s symptoms of depression range from loss of appetite, losing interest in activities, sadness, and lack of sleep.
His case records are two inches thick filled with numerous diagnoses, including schizoid personality, paranoid schizophrenia, and manic-depressive psychosis ( also known as dipolar mood disorder now). Steven V’s father worked long hours and traveled quite often. Mr. V would always criticize his son and saw him as timid, weak, and withdrawn. Mr. V would show no sympathy towards Steven if he had lost a fight. In other words, he was disappointed in his son.
The upbringing of Ed Gein left him emotionally impaired. After he was sent to prison, Ed was diagnosed by psychiatrist with the psychotic disorder of schizophrenia. (Hassett, 2007). Hallucinations and delusions are symptoms of Schizophrenia (Psychotic Disorders, 2014). Neurochemical imbalances were to blame for his condition after years of studying this disorder and his living condition.
His hopes of marriage and building a loving new home were crushed after Lydia’s tragic betrayal, when Romulus’s vulnerability to his inner demons was revealed. Raimond describes his father’s condition as “personal disintegration” by which Romulus’s moral world collapsed in the face of what he saw as an incomprehensible situation. He was simply unable to believe that Lydia could present such dishonesty. During his stay in hospital and throughout his continuing illness at Frogmore, the superstitions and hallucinations of evil spirits ruled his life for a time. This life-altering episode aggravated his mental disorder and left him, “unable to whistle or sing with his former innocence and delight in life”.
He was diagnosed with Bipolar 1 disorder. He also had issues with substance abuse as well as lack of commitment to long term relationships and employment. Throughout his twenties Mr. X struggled with self mutilation and suicidal behaviors. After briefly being hospitalized , he was diagnosed with several diagnosis including: major depressive disorder, Bipolar 2 disorder, major depressive episodes, substance abuse mood disorder, poly substance dependence, and personality disorder. One month before Mr. X murdered the clerk, he had a session at an outpatient treatment center.