Paranoid Schizophrenia

By Grant Sexton and Ken Johnson

Definition

• A chronic mental illness in which the person loses touch with reality.

Symptoms

• Auditory Hallucinations• Anxiety• Anger• Emotional distance• Violence• Argumentativeness• Self important or condescending manor• Suicidal thoughts• Delusions

Tests

• Physical exam• Checking height, weight, vital signs, heart, and

lungs• Laboratory tests• Complete blood count, screening for alcohol

and drugs, thyroid function• Psychological evaluation• Thoughts and feelings and talk about symptoms

Treatments

• Medications:• Psychotherapy• Hospitalization • Electroconvulsive therapy(ECT)• Vocational skills training

Causes/Risk Factors

• Genetic factors• Environmental Factors• Family History• Exposure to viruses while in the womb• Poor nutrition while in the womb• Stressful life circumstances• Older paternal age• Psychoactive drugs while in adolescence

Complications I

• Suicidal thoughts and behaviors• Self destructive behaviors• Depression • Abuse of alcohol, drugs, and prescription

drugs• Poverty• Homelessness

Complications II

• Incarceration• Family conflicts• Inability to work or attend school• Health problems-Anti-psychotic meds• Being a victim or perpetrator of a crime• Heart and lung problems due to smoking

Statistics

• 3.2 million Americans are currently diagnosed with schizophrenia

• 35% of them live independent lives• 25% need some kind of recovery• 15% need extensive support• 15% are dead from suicides• 10% are hospitalized

Examples

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCbf-pKtkhU

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9qHZQv0PXM

Works Cited

• CNN.com(MayoClinic.com) Dec 16, 2013• Schizophrenia.com, March 26, 2013