Validity of Schizophrenia as a Mental Health Diagnosis - Essay Example

Schizophrenia Validity of Schizophrenia as a mental health diagnosis Introduction Schizophrenia refers to a mental condition, which can be regarded as long term that has several psychological symptoms. Some of the symptoms that accompany this condition include hallucinations, which details seeing or hearing things that can be said to be non-existent. This mental condition is also accompanied by some symptoms such as delusions; these entail beliefs that can be termed as unusual that distort the reality. Schizophrenia may also be accompanied by alternations in the behaviour of the sick person. Patients suffering from schizophrenia also suffer from some psychotic conditions, which make them unable to differentiate concepts. There is a lack of clear distinction between one’s thought and reality as a result of the various symptoms, which accompany this mental health condition. This paper will critically evaluate the validity of schizophrenia as a mental health diagnosis. The validity of schizophrenia as a mental health diagnosis The diagnosis of schizophrenia takes various forms. Over the years, numerous studies have been conducted with the sole aim of assessing the validity of this health condition as a mental health diagnosis. Studies indicate that indeed the diagnosis of schizophrenia can be termed as stable, reliable, as well as valid across different cultures and regions. Based on this finding, the validity of schizophrenia as a mental health diagnosis can be discussed with regard to the various approaches used while treating this condition, as well as the results that these approaches yield (Harvey et. al., 2012). Several treatment models can be used to address the issue of schizophrenia; the complexity of this disorder complicates its treatment. Over the years, there has been controversy and disagreements regarding the best model that can be used in the diagnosis of schizophrenia. The initial clinical descriptions of the disorder also influence its treatment; a variety of diagnostic models has been proposed in order to lay down the measures that should be undertaken to diagnose and treat this condition. The diagnosis of schizophrenia calls for the availability of biological markers, which play a crucial role in classifying, diagnosing, as well as sub-typing of the disorders. When these markers are absent, the most appropriate treatment method for the disorder encompasses psychopathology (Peralta & Cuesta, 2003). There tends to be various models that can be employed in diagnosing and treating schizophrenia. The diagnostic systems used may vary based on the degree to which the disorder has affected the patient. A patient suffering from schizophrenia may also have other conditions affecting him or her. This means that there may be several disorders in one, and as such, it may not be possible to categorise the disorder or come up with comprehensive models for the treatment of the disorder. However, since medical practitioners have managed to identify the disorders that a schizophrenic may be suffering from, the diagnosis of this disorder has become possible. As a result, validity in the diagnosis and treatment of schizophrenia has been achieved. The validity of this condition as a mental diagnosis also emanates from the fact the health conditions affecting persons with this disorder can be identifies, as well as treated with a lot of ease (Keen, 1999). The validity of schizophrenia as a mental health diagnosis can be indicated by the various methods used to diagnose this condition have proved successful. For example, the use of laboratory tests in ascertaining whether a person is suffering from schizophrenia can be regarded as valid. The various laboratory tests that indicate the presence of schizophrenia include blood tests such as complete blood count. There can also be tests such as imaging studies, drug and alcohol screening, as well as CT scans. The purpose of these tests is to make sure that there is a clear distinction between schizophrenia and other mental disorders and that the there is no wrong diagnosis of the condition (Peralta & Cuesta, 2003). The validity of this condition as a mental health condition can also be indicated by the psychological treatment, as well as diagnosis of the mental condition. Schizophrenia can be diagnosed through psychological evaluation, which encompasses examining the mental status of the client with regard to the delusions, moods, substance use and abuse, as well as other emotional symptoms that may indicate the presence of this condition. The psychological diagnosis of schizophrenia has proved reliable, valid, as well as timely. This diagnosis can be used as the basis upon which the diagnosis of this condition can be said to be valid. An evaluation of the psychological symptoms of the disorder indicates the presence or absence of schizophrenia. This ensures that there is no misdiagnosis of the disease. As such, the disease can be termed valid as a mental health condition (Bentall, 2006). The validity of schizophrenia as a mental health diagnosis can also be indicated by the various categories of the disorder, which form part of the subtypes that make up the condition. One of the categories of schizophrenia includes the catatonic form of schizophrenia. Persons having this form of schizophrenia do not engage in interactions and socialisation with other people. Such persons may also be involved in activities and gestures that can be termed as meaningless. The validity of schizophrenia diagnosis can also be indicated by the categorisation of schizophrenic persons as paranoid. Diagnosis of the disorder has found out that paranoid persons can be regarded as those who encounter hallucinations and delusions. The diagnosis of this form of schizophrenia has proved to be successful since patients respond quickly when undergoing treatment (Morgan, 2010). The validity of schizophrenia as a mental health diagnosis can also be indicated by the various perceptions of the disorder. While diagnosing the disorder, there is an emphasis on the disorganisation that the disorder causes to the patient. Health professionals focus on the impact that the disorder has on disorganising the patient. This symptom has proved valid in the diagnosis of the disease. The conception of the disorder can also be on the basis of the affective symptoms, which accompany the disorder. Health experts also identify mild and severe symptoms of the disorder. This helps in diagnosing the disorder and identifying the appropriate treatment (Urfer, 2001). The validity of schizophrenia as a mental health diagnosis can also be seen to emanate from the identification of the genetics, as well as the hereditary nature of the causes of the illness. While diagnosing the condition, psychiatrists contend that there are some hereditary causes that can be associated with the disease. The disorder can be seen to run in families; therefore, there is a possibility that a person will develop the disease if either of his parents suffered from the disease (Bentall, 2003). Diagnosis of the mental health condition can also be regarded as valid since it has been documented that it can emanate from environmental effects. For example, situations that create stress or infections from viruses in the environment may cause the disorder. With this in mind, the diagnosis of the condition has centred on the evaluation of the multiple causes of the disorder and the varying impacts they have on the individual. An evaluation of the causes and their impacts help in diagnosing the condition and coming up with appropriate methods of treating the disorder (Van and Tamminga, 2007). The validity of schizophrenia as a mental health diagnosis can also be indicated by the changes, which take place at the onset of the disease. There are certain physical, as well as hormonal changes, which take place in one’s lifetime. For instance, the changes that take place in the environment with regard to hormonal imbalances that emanate from adolescence or the onset of adulthood. The validity of schizophrenia as a mental health diagnosis can also be seen to emanate from the use of rehabilitation and recovery as methods of treating the condition. The diagnosis of the illness has centred on making people live better lives with appropriate treatment. Proper treatment of the health condition can make people become productive in their lives, as well as achieve their goals. This is related to the validity of the diagnosis that practitioners recommend while treating the illness. Rehabilitation programs can be combined with medication in order to ensure that the patient achieves recovery from illness. While diagnosing the disorder, health professionals aim at facilitating the patients to get their confidence back, which will allow them become independent, as well as regain their rightful place in society (Pihlajamaa et. al., 2008). The validity of schizophrenia as a mental health diagnosis also emanates from the identification of some of the common symptoms that accompany the disorder. Health practitioners have managed to diagnose the disorder with the identification of some characteristics such as disorganization, which accompanies the illness. Disorganisation of thoughts is a symptom that accompanies schizophrenia. The functional impairments caused by the disease have been used as the basis for treating the illness. The diagnosis has centred on the extent to which these symptoms cause malfunctioning of an individual. Since the diagnosis of these symptoms has proved to be appropriate in coming up with treatment strategies, it can be proved that there is validity of schizophrenia as a mental health diagnosis (Pihlajamaa et. al., 2008). When establishing a valid diagnosis, one of the factors that should be taken into consideration is the stability of the diagnosis in the long run. A valid diagnosis tends to be valid for a long time, and it can prove to ffect the client positively. The clinical diagnosis of schizophrenia can be termed as valid since the relationship of the disorder with disability indicates that there is empirical evidence to show how these two factors relate (Falzeder, 2007). Empirically, schizophrenia can lead to mental disability where the coping mechanisms and strategies of the patients will be affected. In this regard, it can be argued that, as a mental health diagnosis, schizophrenia can be termed as valid (Harvey et. al., 2012). Some of the diagnoses used for the treatment of schizophrenia have also proved to be valid, and they give long term outcomes. For example, there is high predictive validity when DSM-III-R and ICD-10 are used in the diagnosis of schizophrenia. In addition, some diagnoses such as ICD-9 can be regarded as valid in the prediction of the disability, which may accompany some of the symptoms of this disorder. The predictive validity of these diagnoses can be increased by adding ICD-10, ICD-9, and CATEGO S+ to the six-month duration criteria. A reduction in the duration criterion from the DSM-III-R has an impact of reducing the predictive validity of these forms of diagnoses (Mason et. al., 1997). It can be concluded that the modern systems used in the diagnosis of schizophrenia have high rates if validity. The criterion used in the diagnosis of this condition has proved to be valid in the long run, and it tends to give positive results. Based on this, case for the validity of schizophrenia as a mental health condition can be supported by the valid results obtained from the methods used in diagnosing this condition. The diagnosis also proves to be reliable, especially when conducted by mental health practitioners such as psychiatrists, social workers, and psychologists (Mason et. al., 1997). The diagnosis of the condition through interviews and other methods involving interactions with the patient has also proved to be valid. Interviews help in assessing the negative symptoms associated with this disorder. This form of diagnosis has proved to be valid since the results it gives help in coming up with the appropriate treatment methods (Gilbert et. al., 2000). Conclusion In conclusion, schizophrenia details a mental condition that can be regarded as long term that has several psychological symptoms. Over the years, numerous studies have been conducted with the sole aim of assessing the validity of this health condition as a mental health diagnosis. While diagnosing the condition, psychiatrists contend that there are some hereditary causes that can be associated with the disease. The validity of schizophrenia as a mental health diagnosis also emanates from the identification of some of the common symptoms that accompany the disorder. Some diagnoses such as ICD-9 can be regarded as valid in the prediction of the disability, which may accompany some of the symptoms of this disorder. Empirically, schizophrenia can lead to mental disability where the coping mechanisms and strategies of the patients will be affected. References Bentall, R. (2006). 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