Assessment And Diagnosis In Mental Health Example

Assessment And Diagnosis In Mental Health Example Assessment And Diagnosis In Mental Health â€" Case Study Example > Introduction Paranoid schizophrenia is the most common type of schizophrenia in the whole world (Videbeck, 2007). Patients afflicted with this type of schizophrenia typically exhibit grandiose or persecutory delusional thoughts, violent behavior, strong tendency to argue, auditory hallucinations, perpetual disturbances, and some forms of unfocused anxiety. Most patients with paranoid schizophrenia are convinced of the reality or the existence of things that are not real (delusions) and perceive with their five senses things that are non-existent (hallucinations). The development of paranoid schizophrenia can both be gradual or sudden as were seen in patients but since the root cause of paranoid schizophrenia has not been fully understood by medical and psychological research, there is no way to determine how the development of the mental illness progresses (Shives, 2004). Patients suffering from paranoid schizophrenia are typically treated with Thorazine, Haldol, or Risperdal. The se drugs were known to ease symptoms in 4 out of 5 patients (Healy, 2002). In severe cases of paranoid schizophrenia, particularly those that exhibit symptoms of other mental disorders, controlled doses of Aripiprazole and Risperidone were typically used (Potkin et al, 2003). Therapies for paranoid schizophrenia include counseling, rehabilitation, and individual and group therapy whose main objectives are to help patients cope and prepare them for their lives in the real world. Without medication and therapy, patients treated with paranoid schizophrenia will be unable to normally function in the real world. They may pose serious threat to the security and safety of those around them as their auditory delusions and hallucinations would lead them to do things that are dangerous. Case PresentationMiguel is a 28 year old electrical engineer arrested by the police for physically assaulting his girlfriend of two years and seriously wounding his girlfriend’s brother. Miguel claimed dur ing his arrest that that his girlfriend and her brother were ‘extra terrestrial’ beings sent on Earth to capture him and the rest of the humankind. He further argued with the arresting officers that he is doing the humankind a great favor by making sure that these ‘extra terrestrial’ beings could not report to their base. It was established that Miguel shows the symptoms of paranoid schizophrenia and needs to be contained (Videbeck, 2007). The arresting officer found Miguel in the apartment with the victims. He already tended the wounds and bruises of both his girlfriend and her brother. The officer noted that he is neither sorry for inflicting damage nor worried that he might kill his girlfriend’s brother. He did not show any aggressive behavior upon arrest although the officer took notice of his incoherent and random arguments about his claim of saving mankind. His girlfriend claimed that Miguel has had bouts of depression in the last few months. Bouts of depression whi ch transitions to sudden violent eruptions are characteristics of bipolar syndrome (Shives, 2004) Miguel has recently been fired from his work due to psychological concerns. The human resource manager of the company he is working with reported that his workmates began to see massive changes in his behavior in the last six month. This coincides with the death of his only brother and known family 8 months ago from robbery and homicide. His friends and workmates noted the change in his behavior as he transformed into a cold, self possessed, and glum person. This is a clear indication of an avoidant behavior as well as social aloofness characterized by patients with schizophrenia (Shives, 2004). He is living on his own in a neighborhood in Bronx that is characterized by violence and drug trafficking. He admitted to using marijuana and cocaine to boost his moods especially when he is pressured at work and in his relationship. He shunned his friends from getting into his apartment, and has also stopped meeting them in club joints for their periodic get-together activities because his friends claim that he accused them of crushing on his girlfriend.