Mental Health - Living with Schizophrenia - Case Study Example

Mental Hеаlth -Living With Sсhizорhrеniа Name: Course: Tutor: Institution: City/State: Date: Mental Hеаlth -Living With Sсhizорhrеniа Question 1 Millie’s initial exhibition of mental instability was through manifestation of postnatal depression and attempted suicide within the first three week after being released from the hospital as a new mother (Barker, & Hodes, 2007, 21). The continuous outbursts manifested by intense anger resulted in strained relationships with her children and other close family members. It is evident that Millie’s family members abandoned her because of the gradual deterioration of her mental functionality in schizophrenia. It is evident that the postnatal depression symptoms manifested by Millie gradually gave rise to her schizophrenic condition. In addition, the depression manifested by Millie was because of hormonal imbalances. Question 2 The treatment of patients and individuals with schizophrenia by medical practitioners and society in the 1960s was attributable to the lack of technologies and in-depth knowledge about the condition and effective treatment techniques. In the video, Tina notes that the diagnosis provided on Millie’s condition provided her with an understanding of the condition and the associated trauma caused (Barker, & Hodes, 2007 290. In addition, Alan was unaware that Millie was mentally unstable but lacked adequate understanding and knowledge of the depth of her problem. It is also noted that he opted to leave the marriage because he was unable to handle her mental instability. mentally unstable individuals such s wives and mothers were abandoned by their partners and families as a result of ignorance and lack of adequate information on avenues to provide them with help and support to overcome challenges associated with schizophrenia (Barker, & Hodes, 2007, 36). Question 3 Support is usually provided by providing sufferers with access to medical attention for accurate and effective diagnosis to deliver subsequent treatment of an identified medical condition. For effective diagnosis, symptoms manifested by party, such as in the case of Millie, should have been present for more than 6months. It is noted Millie would not have been provided with an effective diagnosis while she was a child since she only manifested a single symptom of mental disorder. On the other hand, Millie’s brother and mother were suspicious that she was mentally unstable, which is illustrative of the failure on their part to seek help for her mental condition. After Millie gave to Susan, Alan was suspicious of her mental instability, which was manifested by intense anger, outbursts, and violent behavior towards the children (McGorry, 2005, 16). She had violent and suicidal incidents such as slitting her wrists, hopelessness, emotional instability manifested by despair, anger and minimal enthusiasm or joy towards life and interactions with her children or members of the family. It would have been effective if Alan sought help for his wife rather than opting to abandon the young family and subjecting the children top continued violence from their mother. Question 4 From the video, it is evident that the children were subjected to trauma, which was inflicted by their mother, attributable to her mental condition. It is assumed that Tin and Susan, desired intimacy and affection from their mother, which was lacking through their interactions with Millie given she was unaware of her mental status. In addition, it is also evident that her anger and violent outbursts impeded safe relationships with the two children (Ben-Zeev, Young, & Corrigan, 2010, 36). From the attachment theory, it is also evident that the children lacked effective development during their stages of growth given that they were not provided with safe, intimate, and proximal relationships with their mother (Meadows, Singh, & Griggs, 2012 29). In relation to the family systems perspective, this is utilized in development of solutions to, troubled familial interactions, and understanding complex familial interrelationships and interconnectedness between members. From the systems perspective, it is evident that Susan took a practice role as a leader in the family as she fed and clothed her sister. Susan and Tina noted that they were confused and terrified of living with their mother due to her unstable behavior and more so taking roles as adults in ensuring the wellbeing of the family. In addition, they became accustomed to the violent outbursts and behavior that was manifested by their mother resulting into low-esteem, confusion, and presumable antisocial behavior. Question 5 The lack of adoption of effective and adequate strategies in the treatment of Millie can be termed as one of the primary reasons that Susan and Tina were not included in the treatment plan. The recognition of family members as critical components in delivery of care to patients with mental illnesses is important for effective management of such disorders. The healthcare providers could have ensured that the children were provided with information and skills to assume proactive roles in management of the treatment process for their mother. This would have eliminated stigma and associated confusion and ensuring that they provided the best care for their parent. There was need by medical professionals to ensure that Susan and Tina were provided with optimum care (Hopper, Harrison, Janca, & Sartorius, 2007, 43). This would have been achieved by enforcing laws and policies whereby Alan would have assumed custody and provided support to the children. In addition, it would have also focused on delivery of support through inclusion of other family members willing to take care of the children. Question 6 Tina and Susan have played a critical role in ensuring optimized wellbeing and safety of their mother, Millie. The inclusion of Tina and Susan would have been consistent with the need to ensure that Millie is provided with a rigid support system. In addition, it would have provided Susan and Tina with effective skills and knowledge in coming to term with the violent outbursts, anger, and hostile behavior manifested in the manic episodes of schizophrenics. Enabling the children to contribute towards care plans would also have effectively ensured that Millie was provided with a healthy support structure. Question 7 It is evident that schizophrenia results or arises from impaired functioning of the brain, which includes impeded ability to empathize. At the start of the documentary, Millie questions the claims that she has done something wrong (Meadows, Singh, & Griggs, 2012 36). This is indicative that schizophrenics’ mental functioning is dissimilar from normal individuals. In addition, it is also evident that similar to other patients suffering from schizophrenia, she lacks awareness and recognition of her wellbeing and mental health status. In addition, they view other individuals as lacking in healthy and normal mental function. Millie fails to acknowledge her mental instability and state as a schizophrenic by claiming that she is a product of an ineffective mental health system as well because of a financial status. Question 8 Millie’s experience plays a critical role in her subsequent acceptance and decision to take medication for her condition. She witnessed her mother taking medication while living in a nursing home, and her slow death, which triggers he decision to take medication. It is also evident that she fears living in a psychiatric facility, a nursing home or becoming a homeless individual. Her acceptance to take the medication enabled her to receive care in a group that provided her with a security, stability, and normalcy and adhering to strict regimens of medication, diet, and exercise (Meadows, Singh, & Griggs, 2012 36). The satisfaction brought about by goals, achievements and security from the group enabled her continued adherence to strict guidelines of using prescribed medication to manage her mental condition. The promise of choice, stability, safety, security and satisfaction with individual objectives are evidently some of the key drivers towards continued use of prescribed medication by Millie. Question 9 Early identification of symptoms and development of a treatment plan is critical towards ensuring optimal wellbeing. Symptoms such as hostility/suspiciousness, decline in personal hygiene, expressionless gazes, social withdrawal, inappropriate cries or laughter, depression, lack of joy or happiness, insomnia or oversleeping, irrational statements and behaviour, and strange verbal statements. Early diagnosis and subsequent treatment of schizophrenia is critical towards initial response to treatment. This would have been effective in ensuring that Millie was responsive to medical interventions after her first manic episode (Miller et al, 2003, 711). Research indicates that the length of time between onset of psychosis and initial detection and the treatment can vary from weeks to years. This period is of critical concern given that patient is usually sick and untreated and there is possibility that the lack of treatment of the psychotic state may give rise to increased risk of poor outcomes. This is indicative that for positive outcomes, patients should be presented to medical practitioners for accurate and timely diagnosis and subsequent treatment regimens delivered to ensure effectiveness of treatment. Thus, Millie would have been provided with effective treatment and care, which would have provided her with highly positive outcomes to live a healthy life. Question 10 Pessimism related to schizophrenia has been attributed to ignorance and lack of information and skills to provide support to patients and sufferers within social settings. In addition, pessimism plays a negative role on patient recovery, outcomes and the social interactions and relationships of the relatives of the patient given that they are subjected to prejudicial treatment. Low levels of pessimism and burden are associated with supportive social networks provided by family and society members (Meadows, Singh, & Griggs, 2012 23). Pessimism does not play a role in positive outcomes for schizophrenic patients given that it impedes the involvement of relatives and other critical players in the patient’s social network. Providing relatives with a means of strengthening their respective social networks is critical towards enabling them to gain useful strategies for alleviation of pessimism and burdens associated with caring for or being related to schizophrenic parties. In addition, pessimism is understood to be focused on only the negative attributes and consequences of schizophrenia. However, it providers caregivers with a need to avail the patients who may family members to medical facilities for evaluation and subsequent treatment upon successful diagnosis. Pessimism provides for early treatment whereby suspicions over the presence of symptoms may enable effective treatment (Meadows, Singh, & Griggs, 2012 36). Early identification of symptoms and development of a treatment plan is critical towards ensuring optimal wellbeing. References Adams, R, Dominelli, L & Payne, M. 2009. Critical Practice in Social work. 2nd  edition, Palgrave Macmillan, Basingstoke, UK. Barker, J. & Hodes, D. 2007. The Child in Mind: A child protection handbook. 3rd edition. Routledge. Oxon. Ben-Zeev, D, Young, MA & Corrigan, PW 2010, ‘DSM-V and the stigma of mental illness’, Journal of Mental Health, vol. 19, no. 4, pp. 318 – 327. Bromfield, L M, Gillingham, P and Higgins, D J. Winter/Spring 2007, Cumulative Harm and Chronic Child Maltreatment, Developing Practice: The Child, Youth and Family Work Journal, No. 19,: 34-42. Deegan, P. 1998, Recovery: The lived Experience of Rehabilitation, Psychosocial Rehabilitation Journal, vol.11, no.4, pp.11-19. Hopper, K., Harrison, G., Janca, A., & Sartorius, N. 2007, Recovery from Schizophrenia An International Perspective. Oxford, Oxford University Press, USA. McGorry, P 2005, ‘Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists clinical practice for treatment of schizophrenia and related disorders’, Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, vol. 39, no. 1/2, pp. 1-30. McLean, R. 2002, Recovered, Not Cured, a journey through schizophrenia, Allen and Unwin, Crow’s Nest. New South Wales. Meadows, G, Singh, B & Griggs, 2012, Mental health in Australia: collaborative community practice, 3rd edn, Oxford University Press, Victoria. Miller TJ, McGlashan TH, Rosen JL, Cadenhead K, Cannon T, Ventura J 2003, Prodromal assessment with the structured interview for prodromal syndromes and the scale of prodromal symptoms: predictive validity, interrater reliability, and training to reliability. Schizophrenic Bulleting, 29(4): 703-15. Read More