Psy 410 Week 1 Disorder Clarification

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Disorder Clarification & Case Analysis
Loren Sims
PSY/410
April 30, 2013
NICHELLE GAUSE

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Disorder Clarification & Case Analysis The Case study of Sally is an example of undifferentiated schizophrenia; undifferentiated schizophrenia is a type of schizophrenia where the patients have “the characteristics positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia but do not meet the specific criteria for the paranoid, disorganized, or catatonic subtypes” (Meyer, Chapman, & Weaver , 2009). Those who have suffered from schizophrenia for a long time may exhibit different symptoms at different times and most commonly eventually shows a variety of symptoms, and because of this back and forth of subtypes it was given the title of undifferentiated schizophrenia since all
of the subtypes basically make one type within itself. The case of Sally is a great case study example of undifferentiated schizophrenia because of the fact that she exhibited all classifications of schizophrenia. This case study started by explaining that Sally’s Mother not only was a smoker, but she also came down with an extreme case of the flu while she was pregnant with her.
It was also noted that sally may have been more prone to schizophrenia because her grandfather was thought to have been “crazy”, it was said that he exhibited very eccentric behavior. It was noted that although she at first seemed to be a bright student she was withdrawn socially and after a while a teacher described her as “a bit off center” (Meyer, Chapman, & Weaver , 2009). Her mother was proven to be overprotective and seemed to have an effect on how she was socially withdrawn, she could not keep friends. By the time Sally was in college her roommate requested to move to another room because she began talking to herself, after a little while longer she was found sitting in a chair in her room staring at the floor “Sally was unresponsive, and her limbs could be moved about and would then stay in pace, almost as if she was a plastic doll” (Meyer, Chapman, & Weaver , 2009). At this point “she was in a withdrawn catatonic state” (Meyer, Chapman, & Weaver , 2009). After this episode and her hospitalization it was noted
that she improved and was allowed to go home, however soon after her episodes worsened. She would have moments of total unresponsiveness and also moments of sudden
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Disorder Clarification & Case Analysis laughter, which was originally called hebephrenic pattern. Her father wanted his daughter back in the care of the hospital, however after a short stay at the hospital her mother decided to bring her back home even against the wishes of her father, to make matters worse she did not follow the outpatient treatment that was recommended by her doctors. It was not long after that, she was found walking around in the local pond muttering to herself at which point she was taken to a mental hospital. This case study seems to be pointing at so many various reasons to what could have triggered her schizophrenia, it seems that its pointing to nature and nurture as being the ultimate cause of why her undifferentiated schizophrenia began. Either way it was always there however maybe there are certain things that can make something that is dormant suddenly become active. In Sally’s case it could have been her mother having a severe case of the flu while she was about 5 months pregnant, or it could have been the fact that her grandfather (her mother’s father) was thought to be crazy, so perhaps it is genetic. However it was also noted that her mother had a lot to do with her social life (she did not really have much of one), but it was noted that because her mother was so overly protective Sally remained withdrawn because she could never have a real relationship. Schizophrenia is a disorder that affects individuals behavioral, biological, cognitive, and emotional components, and in the case of undifferentiated schizophrenia all components are affected.

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Disorder Clarification & Case Analysis
Narrative
“Substance-related disorders are disorders of intoxication, dependence, abuse, and substance withdrawal caused by various substances, both legal and illegal. These substances include: alcohol, amphetamines, caffeine, inhalants, nicotine, prescription medications that may be abused (such as sedatives), opioids (morphine, heroin), marijuana (cannabis), cocaine, hallucinogens, and phencyclidine (PCP)” (Substance Abuse and Related Disorders,n.d.). Substance related disorders are classified primarily by the type of drug(s) that is associated with it. Alcohol related disorders, Amphetamine (amphetamine like) related disorders which is caused by substances sch as speed and ice, caffine related disorders, cocaine-related disorders, hallucinogen-related diosrders such as with LSD,Cannabis(weed)-related disorder, Inhalants such as glue, paint etc. Nicotine related disorders; opioids-related disorders which come from opiod treatments prescribed by a doctor however can be addictive and often misused. Also phencyclidine (or phencyclidine like)-related disorders for example from the use of PCP. Sedative, hypnotic, or anxiolytic, and also polysubstance-related disorders, which occurs when an individual repeatedly uses at least three groups of substances. All of these classifications of substance related disorders are all under the umbrella of either the substance use disorders ( substance dependence and substance abuse), and the substance-induced disorders (“substance intoxication, withdrawal, induced delirium, substance induced persisting amnestic disorder, substance induced sexual dysfunction, and substance induced sleep disorder”)(American Psychiatric Association,2000). Alcohol and other substances that cause substance related disorders cause impairment in individual biologically, emotionally, cognitively and behaviorally. Such substances for example, biologically cause impairment in the brains pleasure neurotransmitters called dopamine, these neurotransmitters are chemical with in the brain that sends messages from nerve cell to nerve cell. When an individual becomes dependent on alcohol and other substance the persons specific area of the brain begins to deplete and that person then can no longer enjoy normal everyday life pleasures unless the substance is present. In turn this directly affects the individual emotionally; they are not able to perform everyday cognitive functions, as well as behavioral changes such as irritability, and anger.
There are many forms of psychosis, schizophrenia being one of those forms is a disorder that can completely disrupt an individual’s life, however no matter the disorder “all psychosis involves losing touch with reality” (“What is the Difference between psychosis and Schizophrenia”,n.d.). The free dictionary online defines schizophrenia as “a psychotic disorder marked by severely impaired thinking, emotions, and behaviors” (Schizophrenia,n.d.). Individuals who suffer from schizophrenia usually are not able to filter sensory stimuli and can even have an overhaul of perception such as sounds, colors, and what’s in their environment. If this disorder is left untreated an individual can slowly become socially withdrawn and possibly even lose the ability to take care of his or her self. There are five subtypes/classifications of schizophrenia; Paranoid (Paranoid schizophrenia) in which there is a combination of delusional behavior and also the person may hear things such as voices, however there is “more nearly emotions and cognitive functioning (cognitive functions include reasoning, judgment,
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Disorder Clarification & Case Analysis
Narrative

and memory). However the delusions the individual experiences are organized and can be understood, for example the person may think that someone from the government is trying to kill them. Although “paranoid schizophrenic functions at a higher level than other classification” (Schizophrenia, n.d.) they are more prone to suicide and violent behavior, usually during a delusional episode. Disorganized schizophrenia is classified by unorganized “speech, thinking and behavior” (Schizophrenia,n.d.). Catatonic schizophrenia is “characterized by disturbances of movement that may include rigidity, agitation, bizarre posturing, and repetitive imitations of the movements or speech of others”(Schizophrenia,n.d.). This type is mainly classified with in mood disorders. Undifferentiated schizophrenia ia as it sounds it is not within a specific classification and can take on any classification at any given time, and it has “the positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia” (Schizophrenia, n.d.). Lastly is the residual form of schizophrenia “this category is used for patients who have had at least one acute schizophrenic episode but do not presently have strong positive psychotic symptoms, such as delusions and hallucinations”(Schizophrenia,n.d.). Mood effective disorder is defined as “any of several mental disorders characterized by dramatic changes or extremes of mood” (Affective Disorder,n.d.). The major affective disorders are classified by bipolar disorders (manic or depressive), as well as major depressive disorders. Some of the behavioral and cognitive components of manic episodes are: “Elevated expansive, or irritable moods with hyper-activity, pressured (rapid and forced) speech, and inflated self-esteem” (Affective Disorder, n.d.). When an individual is in a depressive their mood becomes dejected, “lack of interest in life, sleep disturbance, agitation, and feelings of worthlessness of guilt” (Affective Disorder, n.d.).

Reference Page

American Psychiatric Association. (2000). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR) (4th ed.). Arlington, Va: American Psychiatric Publishing, Inc.

Schizophrenia. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://medical- dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/schizophrenia+disorders

Affective disorder. (n.d.). In Merriam-webster dictionary. Retrieved from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/affective%20disorder

Meyer, R. G., Chapman, K., & Weaver, C. M. (2009). Case studies in Abnormal Behavior (8th ed.). Retrieved from The University of Phoenix eBook Collection

Substance Abuse and Related Disorders. (n.d.). In Encyclopedia of Mental Disorders. Retrieved from http://www.minddisorders.com/Py-Z/Substance-abuse-and-related-disorders.html