The term schizophrenia was first coined by Swiss psychiatrist?Eugen Bleuler to describe the presence of schisms between thought, emotion and behaviour. Clinically, schizophrenia is a disturbance lasting for at least 6 months and including at least one month of at least two of the following:
Schizophrenia remains one of the top causes of disability in the world, despite more than five decades of pharmacological and psychosocial interventions. The impairments faced by people with schizophrenia are widespread, affecting social, occupational and independent living activities. People with schizophrenia commonly have disabilities in partner relationships, work roles, social withdrawal, household participation, general interests, self care and social friction. These disabilities are especially common among young and middle aged adults, and occur even in people responding to treatment for psychosis.
A long term study looked at the change in social disability of people who had?a first episode psychosis. It found that the level of social disability for a particular individual fluctuated with time, and many?individuals experienced different levels of disability. About one third of the people involved in the study improved considerably over?15 years, and 40% had little or no disability at the end. However, one out of seven did not improve.
Several scientific studies have shown that most patients with schizophrenia are noncompliant with their medications.?This means that they either do not take the correct dose of their medications, or do not take their medication regularly. Several studies have shown that?90% or more of?schizophrenic patients do not take their medication as directed. There are various reasons why patients do not take their medication, including forgetting to pick up a refill, cost, or an intentional decision to not take medication.
Patients who do not take their medication as directed often experience poorer outcomes, including increased hospitalisation rates. A large study used information from pharmacists to identify patients who did not take their medication as directed. They found that patients with good compliance had the lowest rates of hospital admission.?As compliance decreased, the rates of hospital admissions increased. Once admitted to hospital, those who were less compliant stayed longer?in hospital.?
This information will be collected for educational purposes, however it will remain anonymous.
You should consult your doctor if you or someone close to you notices unusual behaviours that might indicate signs of early psychosis. There are programs, such as the?Early Intervention in Psychosis (EIP), which use a range of approaches to intervene at the earliest opportunity.?Early intervention helps to improve symptoms, functional capacity and quality of life. A recent review found this method effective in delaying transition to psychosis, reducing duration of untreated psychosis, preventing relapse, reducing hospital admissions and rates of suicide,?and reducing treatment costs.
You should also consult your doctor if?you are experiencing side effects from your medication, or are?having difficulty taking your medication in a regular fashion. Some common side effects are:
Consult your doctor if you have any concerns related to schizophrenia, or any?other health or mental conditions.
This tolerability tool is based on a self-rating scale designed by Waddell and Taylor1 to assess if you are experiencing undesirable side effects from your antipsychotic medication.
This tolerability tool is based on a self-rating scale designed by Waddell and Taylor1 to assess if you are experiencing undesirable side effects from your antipsychotic medication.
Absent/mild side effectsYou may be experiencing side effects from your current medication. It would be advisable to discuss this with your GP or psychiatrist to discuss your medication options. Medicating with minimal side effects is optimal to ensure correct use and prevention of relapse.
Moderate side effectsYou are experiencing what may be side effects from your current medication. You should discuss this with your GP or psychiatrist to discuss your medication options. Medicating with minimal side effects is optimal to ensure correct use and prevention of relapse.
Severe side effectsYou are experiencing what may be side effects from your current medication. Discuss this with your GP or psychiatrist to discuss your medication options. Medicating with minimal side effects is optimal to ensure correct use and prevention of relapse.
It seems that one or more of the side effects you are experiencing is distressing you. You may like to discuss this with your doctor to see if there are any other medications and/or doses that better suit your situation.
ReferenceWaddell L, Taylor M. A new self-rating scale for detecting atypical or second-generation antipsychotic side effects. J Psychopharmacol 2008; 22: 238-243.
This information will be collected for educational purposes, however it will remain anonymous.
?There are several things that can be done to help reduce the impact of schizophrenia on your lifestyle.?These include:
Early diagnosis and comprehensive treatment of the first episodeComprehensive care, especially in the first 3–5 years following diagnosis. The course of illness is strongly influenced by what happens in this critical period.Antipsychotic medicationCareful monitoring of side effects Psychosocial interventions should be routinely available to all patients and their families. These include: A positive social and cultural environment, including: Adequate shelterFinancial securityAccess to meaningful social roles Availability of social supportTailoring of interventions to phase and stage of illness, and to gender and cultural backgroundMaintenance of good physical healthQuality medical care involving general practitioners and psychiatrists.
For more information about schizophrenia and its treatments, videos and useful tools, see schizophrenia.?
No comments:
Post a Comment