Grand Canyon University: PCN 605
December 17, 2013
Grief and Mourning Schizophrenia is one of the most debilitating psychotic disorders that can tend to cause distortions in perceptions, hallucinations, delusions, and other strange behavior in 1% of the population in the United States (Picchioni & Murray, 2007). Receiving a diagnosis of schizophrenia can be life altering and hard to grasp. A myriad of emotions come into play for both the individual diagnose and their family. The prognosis for individuals diagnose with schizophrenia can be affected by many factors like positive symptoms, negative symptoms, noncompliance to treatment, and use of substance to self-medicate.
Several literatures have indicated that individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia are susceptible to experiencing depression and suicidal thoughts. When it comes to be newly diagnosed with schizophrenia, clinicians need to proactive when working with these individuals. Helping them come to accept the diagnosis, to discuss and work through their emotions, and to develop a safety plan that will be helpful if clients experience depression or thoughts of suicide. In this paper, the topic of discussion pertains to the importance of grief/mourning process, the potentiality of depression and suicidal thoughts, and the importance of having a safety plan in place for newly diagnosed clients.
The Importance of Grief and Mourning Process
When an individual is diagnosed with schizophrenia, his or her livelihood is forever change. A diagnosis of schizophrenia, a serious and chronic mental disorder is hard for individuals to process and accept. He or she experienced anger, despair, hopelessness, and loss of past identity as a response to new diagnosis. Wittman and Keshavan (2007) wrote that for newly diagnosed client to make any progress and obtain functionality while living with this disorder, he or she must undergo the grieving and mourning
References: Andreula, T. (2013). Grief and Mourning: A Safety Plan. Retrieved from http://psychcentral.com/lib/grief-and-mourning-in-schizophrenia-a-safety-plan/00015492 Kaschkow, J., Felmet, K., & Zisook, S. (2011). Managing Suicide Risk in Patients with Schizophrenia. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3056073/ Picchioni, M. M., & Murray, R. M. (2007). Clinical review of Schizophrenia. BMJ, 335-391. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmj.39227.616447.BE. Siris, S. G. (2012, August). Treating Depression’ in Patients with Schizophrenia. Retrieved from http://www.currentpsychiatry.com/index.php?id=22661&tx_ttnews[tt_news]=177004 Wittmann, D., & Keshavan, M. (Summer 2007). Grief and Mourning in Schizophrenia. Psychiatry: Interpersonal & Biological Processes, 70(2), 154-166. Retrieved from Academic Search Complete database.