Schizophrenia Case Study: Caitlyn Smith (Schizophrenia)

Case study: Caitlyn Smith (schizophrenia) Mrs. Smith is a 24 year old woman who has admitted herself to the psychiatric ward due to the auditory hallucinations she has been experiencing lately. When talking to the psychiatrist on staff it was discovered she also had been withdrawn from activities she used to enjoy, and was having trouble speaking, and putting her thoughts together. As her stay at the hospital continued, she started becoming paranoid, at one point going so far as to tear into her rooms mattress in an attempt to find a device that she claimed was stealing her plans for a spaceship while sleeping. This all happened shortly after smashing the lens of the security camera in her room, much to security 's displeasure. Ever since Dr. Emile Kraepelin first diagnosed schizophrenia in 1887, Caitlyn 's symptoms have been hallmarks of the disease. Even in the ancient world, schizophrenics have been recognized, albeit under the working definition of madness due to the imbalance of buthas and dosas in ancient India, or a problem with the heart and uterus in ancient Egypt. Currently, we know that schizophrenia is a disorder of its own category, with symptoms that, once displayed, can lead to a diagnosis after six months of disturbance, and one moth of two or more specific symptoms, at least one of which must be delusions, hallucinations or disorganized speech. The hallmark symptoms being delusions, auditory and visual

While a psychiatrist can help set up a treatment plan for those afflicted, the treatment must be lifelong, and coupled with antipsychotic medication. If anxiety, or agitation arises a benzodiazepine may be added to the treatment plan to help reduce these symptoms. Thankfully, for most people with schizophrenia, the combination of therapy and drugs is enough to allow them to lead a healthy, independent, and well adjusted