Schizophrenia and Psychotic Disorders Study Notes

Schizophrenia is a chronic mental illness affecting thought, behavior, and emotions. It involves a disconnect from reality, making it hard to distinguish between what's real and imagined.

Other psychotic disorders share similarities with schizophrenia, but they have distinct characteristics like shorter duration, specific triggers, or prominent mood symptoms.

Genetic predisposition, stressful life events, drug use, and brain abnormalities can increase the risk of developing schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders.

Schizophrenia is categorized into subtypes like paranoid, disorganized, catatonic, undifferentiated, and residual, each with specific symptom combinations.

Hallucinations, delusions, disorganized thinking, negative symptoms (flat affect, avolition), and movement disorders are common signs of psychotic disorders.

Assessment involves gathering detailed information about the patient's symptoms, history, medical conditions, and social support to guide care planning.

Nursing diagnoses address the patient's specific needs, like impaired thought processes, altered self-perception, impaired social interaction, and risk for self-harm.

Outcomes of care aim to enhance the patient's mental health, improve coping strategies, promote self-management, and address social and occupational functioning.

Patient and family teaching should focus on understanding the disorder, managing symptoms, medication adherence, coping strategies, and accessing support services.

Nursing interventions aim to provide a safe and supportive environment, promote communication, manage symptoms, reduce stress, and build coping skills.

Evaluation measures assess the effectiveness of nursing care, such as symptom reduction, improved cognitive function, enhanced personal well-being, and increased social participation.

Pharmacotherapy helps stabilize symptoms, while psychotherapy aims to improve coping skills, manage stress, and enhance social functioning.

Antipsychotics are medications that help reduce hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thinking by modulating neurotransmitter levels.

Psychotherapy, including individual, family, and group therapy, helps patients understand their condition, develop coping strategies, and build social support.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps patients identify and modify negative thoughts and behaviors, reducing stress and improving self-management.

Social skills training helps patients improve communication, social interaction, and everyday life skills, enhancing their ability to participate in society.

Assertive community treatment provides ongoing support and assistance to patients, enabling them to live more independently and engage in meaningful activities.

Early intervention programs focus on identifying and treating individuals at a higher risk of developing psychotic disorders, potentially reducing symptom severity and improving outcomes.