Mental Health And The Social Workers - Research Paper Example

Michael failed all his subjects. He began using dope regularly and within six months had dropped out of University altogether. He had also become increasingly suspicious, described hearing voices of some secret agents plotting to kill him, started driving recklessly and was often restless as if on a mission. He was also heard talking incoherently. His parents were getting increasingly worried and consulted their family GP. Organic and drug-related issues were ruled out as a cause of his behaviors.

It is highly possible that Michael’s case is a case of schizophrenia. Alternatively, we can say that his case is consistent with the symptoms of early schizophrenia. More precisely, Michael may be in the “prodrome” symptoms of psychosis that can “mature” into schizophrenia. According to The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (2005a, p. 2), schizophrenia involves “disorder of thinking, perception, and motivation that distort reality.” Further, according to the organization, schizophrenia can cause behavior changes.

In the case of Michael, we see him have become uneasy with his peers and has started spending more time alone. We also see him talking incoherently, driving recklessly, and restless as if on a mission. We also see him increasingly suspicious and to be describing of voices of secret agents plotting to kill him. There is no reason why secret would plot against him and, more importantly, of plotting to kill him. More likely, what Michael is describing is a case of hallucination.According to the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (2005a, p. 6), schizophrenia is one of the mental disorders known as psychoses.

According to the organization, a person with psychosis has lost contact with reality (p. 6).