Experiences of Schizophrenia Counseling - Essay Example

Experiences of Schizophrenia Counseling Working with patients who are beset with schizophrenia and other psychological disorders can be very rewarding yet challenging at the same time. The primary treatment for these patients involves antipsychotic medications which affect seratonin systems in the brain. However, an important part of a patients health is derived from a combination of medication, education, primary care services, hospital-based services and community support, such as positive social interaction, housing, employment, or establishment of the necessity and contributions a patient may give to the community in general.

While participating in group therapy sessions, most schizophrenic patients need more support than someone who has an illness that is not associated with a personality disorder such as cancer or heart disease. The problem I find with most patients is that they feel vilified by their peers and others who are aware of their condition. They tend to blame the illness on a personality anomaly instead of what it truly is-a brain disorder that is entirely treatable. When I work with older people who are schizophrenic I try to enlist a service that is unique to the individual rather than a program that is designed for a whole group participation.

I listen attentively to their problems and do what I can to help them reduce their own stress as well as the stress of their loved ones. It is important that they remain independent and capable of functioning on their own. When they become too dependent on others, it affects their self-esteem and hampers their progress to overcoming this illness. Many would not believe that a lot of these people are very lucid and quite capable of carrying on a conversation. Sometimes, it is necessary to gently bring their personality out to the forefront.

Many are self conscious and shy about their problem and tend to feel less worthy than others. Set backs are an issue with many patients but I remind them that they have not failed. Perseverance is the key to learning how to live and function within society. One of the greatest rewards in working with those who have schizophrenia is mentoring those who are feeling like they have hit rock bottom then climbed the ladder to emotional stability and happiness. That is when they know that have achieved success by regularly attending group therapy sessions, practiced exercises they have been taught and made progress day by day.

Some challenges I face are that some of the patients are inconsolable and have thoughts of suicide. This is where I believe that family therapy is also helpful because they need as much support as they can receive. This of course is supplemental to the drug therapy which is the backbone of treatment. The behavioral and family therapies are a means of supplementing drug therapy to help re-integrate schizophrenic individuals into society through the development of social skills. By re-integrating the individuals back into society, the probability that the patients adhere to their drug therapies increases.

I believe this is crucial for them to live a normal life. Compliance with every individual drug therapy program is of paramount importance. If a patient does not adhere to taking their medication as prescribed, they almost always relapse and fail to progress. I am very vigilant when it comes to working with my patients when it comes to their drug schedules. Then of course, teaching them basic social skills and employing the help of their families are key to re-integrating them out in the real world.

I am fortunate to be able to work with people who have schizophrenia and love assisting in their quest to attain some degree of normality in their lives.