Schizophrenia Case #132566D Mallory Lehr Jane Donson Schizophrenia Case #132566D Mallory Lehr

Jane Donson 19 Years old Both mother & maternal grandmother were affected by schizophrenia (institutionalized most of their adulthood) She wants to be tested so she can prepare for her future.

schizophrenia Schizophrenia is a chronic, severe, and disabling brain disorder that has affected people over time. May hear voices May believe people are controlling them or reading their minds May see things that other people do not see Anxiety & abnormal behavior Do not make sense when they are talking

schizophrenia Treatment helps relieve many symptoms of schizophrenia, but most people who have the disorder cope with symptoms throughout their lives. Schizophrenia can be detected at an early age, but commonly onset in adulthood There is no know cause & no official cure for the mental disorder.

Pedigree Schizophrenia is known to be genetic, but is neither dominator or recessive. A member of the family may have it, but that does not mean that you will have it.

3 Questions How do you help someone cope with Schizophrenia? In order to deal successfully with schizophrenia and help your family member, it’s important to: accept the illness and its difficulties be realistic in what you expect of the person with schizophrenia and of yourself maintain a sense of humor

3 Questions How can people with Schizophrenia live normal lives? There are medications that can relieve some of the symptoms of Schizophrenia. Some of these medications may help the person to focus and communicate with others, lowering their anxiety level. This can help the person hold a job or just live normally within a society.

3 Questions When do you turn to institutionalized programs? Institutionalized programs should be the last option for someone with Schizophrenia. You should only turn to these programs if the affect person or the persons taking care of the affect person can not live a functional life.

Case Recommendation Jane has a history of family members with schizophrenia. This does not mean that she will 100% get it, however she wants to take whatever steps she can to plan for her future. She knows that their will be a possible battle with this debilitating disease. My recommendation for Jane is to see a genetic counselor to talk about the possibilities and how to mentally and emotionally prepare. The only other thing she can do is wait and see if she develops schizophrenia and take the next steps to deal with the symptoms.

Citations http://www.webmd.com/schizophrenia/guide/schizophrenia-diagnosis-tests http://psychcentral.com/lib/what-causes-schizophrenia/000715 http://www.wiringthebrain.com/2011/08/split-brains-autism-and-schizophrenia.html