Psychiatric_Disorders,_Diseases,_and_Drugs_Psychology_240

In today’s day and age there are multitudes of psychological disorders (also known as psychiatric disorders) affecting individuals ranging in ages from old to young. These conditions over the years have been reviewed, observed and have become an important part of medicine and psychiatric treatment today. No longer are there inhumane practices to “cure” patients such as shock therapy and excessive medication we have found more effective ways of treatment which allow individuals to recover and function with their conditions. One might wonder how an individual gets diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder but it’s a straightforward process. An individual will make contact with a psychologist who will decipher whether or not the patient’s condition is pathological (evidencing a mentally disturbed condition) and then when pathology is confirmed and after more observation and referencing the DSM-IV-TR manual they then specify which disorder the patient possesses considering their behavior and condition and then they will diagnose the patient and request or recommend a particular form of treatment. Manuals are frequently upgraded since there is always new research and studies providing important exclusive insight that outdated manuals may not efficiently cover which may be detrimental to a patient in need. We have a new patient named Tonya; she has been diagnosed with schizophrenia. One of the symptoms Tonya possesses is delusions. Some examples of delusions that schizophrenics experience are delusions of control, as if something is telling them what to do or to commit crimes,” the voice in my head told me to do it”, Delusions of grandeur when an individual believes outlandish impossible instances close to fantasies, and delusions of persecution which is when an individual feels as if everyone is out to get them. Tonya also is incapable of reacting within the correct amounts of emotions (her emotions are excessively extreme and over the top, or not responsive at all). Tonya also has complained of voices, which she claims she hears audibly and others are unable to hear these voices when they occur. Tonya responds and holds conversations with the voices and at times says they give her orders. At times her judgment is poor due to illogical thinking where situations and reality may be diluted with confusion and or fantasy. Tonya has a history of catatonia, which is when a patient stay immobile and extremely still for an extended period of time as well as echolalia where she avoids interaction and may repeat what individuals ask her or say to her, (not all schizophrenic patients experience all of these symptoms, some experience less, some more each case depends on the individual). As far as we know Schizophrenia is a combination of the inheritance of the potential for schizophrenia as well as an individual’s environment and personal experience. Chlorpromazine is an antihistamine that was once used during surgeries to prevent swelling, but when its calming side effects were noticed research began and eventually it was found to calm agitated patients and to activate non responsive patients which further assists institutionalized patients achieve their release. There are many complications with the medication and similarities to side effects of Parkinson’s disease; a belief was established that too much dopamine may cause one to accrue schizophrenia cause complications just as it does in Parkinson’s disease. Another patient we have recently received is Derrick who is suffering from severe depression. Derrick is incapable of accepting life’s experiences without becoming overwhelmed and upset. His reactions are irregular and extremely somber at all times. Pessimism is a frequent reaction as well as mood for Derrick; small things become extremely big deals and are blown out of proportion frequently. Many individuals suffering from severe depression such as Derrick are unable to function within society due to their lack of motivation or extremely upset demeanor. They tend to withdraw themselves socially and are incapable of maintaining responsibilities. On the opposite side of Depression there is Mania, which is almost the exact opposite of depression. Instead of withdrawal and solemn demeanor, instead individuals tend to overcompensate with extravagant behavior and an excitable demeanor, an overly social life that leads to unfinished projects and broken relationships. Depression is referred to as an affective disorder otherwise known as a psychotic emotional disorder. There are multiple different medications that assist individuals with their depression. There are four popular types of anti depressant medications; monoamine oxidase inhibitors, tricyclic antidepressants, lithium, and selective monoamine-reuptake inhibitors. Some of these medications were accidentally stumbled upon for depression after being created for other conditions and purposes (tuberculosis). There are a wide amount of theories from depression from the amount of neurotransmitters in one’s body to the inheritance of a genetic susceptibility. Anxiety is a disorder that is frequently recognized in our society, although we all experience some form/ amount of anxiety some individuals cannot function in society or even out of their homes or bedrooms due to their extreme emotions. Individuals possess a severe amount of fear to non-living objects, or even the thought of particular objects or activities. Some individuals have created such a fear of crime or germs that they cannot leave their house hold without experiencing an anxiety attack. Two frequently seen disorders are traumatic stress syndrome (anxiety after an extreme amount of overwhelming stress) and agoraphobia (the fear of open spaces or being out in public). There are multiple classes of anxiety disorders: Generalized anxiety disorders, Phobic anxiety disorders, Panic disorders, Obsessive-compulsive disorders, Posttraumatic stress disorder. Many anxiety disorders can be traced back to traumatic experiences in individual’s past; there are three different types of drugs that are effective toward anxiety which are benzodiazepines, serotonin agonists, and antidepressants. Some of the side effects that result from the medicine are lack of mobilization, sedation, nausea and tremors. Lastly let’s discuss Tourette syndrome, which is a bit different from any of the other conditions we’ve covered. With Tourettes there are tics which are involuntary movements or sounds that come from the patient. The individual’s symptoms may increase with time to involuntary shouting where obscenities are frequently shouted, as well as barking and other abnormal noises as well as echolalia (where you repeat what is heard instead of responding normally). These symptoms may become apparent after a few years and usually subside over a period of time during ones adolescence, but as the individual matures the symptoms increase in severity. Individuals (with medication) are capable of controlling most of their tics and symptoms and experiencing a socially “normal” life. To achieve this individuals as well as families must be informed about Tourettes and the nature of the disorder, and then an individual must recognize their depression and other emotional complications. Once that section of the disorder is dealt with the actual tics are then focused on, neuroleptics are used to reduce the amount of tics an individual experiences, although it has not completely ceased the involuntary movements. Some adult patients experience such severe symptoms that no drugs or treatment can subside the tics and the affects are overwhelming. Deep brain stimulation is then used with some success. Although there are medications for these disorders multiple other ideas are configured and are being processed and tested. Since individuals can no longer test these drugs on patients due to extremely dangerous side effects which may increase the severity of the patients already overwhelming symptoms. To get these drugs distributed on the market there must be substantial testing and proof of the side effects on Human beings before the government will allow the drugs to be distributed to patients. There may be a cure for any of these disorders that’s wrapped up in this process; it’s exciting to see where science will take medication and how much these patients may be able to do after their symptoms subside. References: http://www.tsa-usa.org/ http://www.nimh.nih.gov Pinel, J. P. J. (2007). Basics of biopsychology. Boston, MA: Allyn and Bacon.