Decision 1: Differential diagnosis I will select early-onset schizophrenia for this patient. Hallucinations are a common symptom of schizophrenia, as is disorganized speaking and delusions. Additionally, the client’s family history of schizophrenia supports this diagnosis (Laureate Education, 2016).
This decision will help me to make an accurate diagnosis of the client and guide the creation of a treatment plan. An accurate diagnosis will also provide the client and their family with an understanding of the client’s condition, which can help to reduce their anxiety and improve their overall quality of life (American Psychiatric Association, 2013).
The results of this decision are consistent with my expectations, as the client’s symptoms and family history both suggest a diagnosis of early onset schizophrenia.
Choosing a Treatment Plan: Decision #2 I’d choose Cognitive-behavioral Therapy (CBT) for my psychotherapy. Research has shown that CBT can be effective in reducing positive symptoms such as hallucinations and delusions in patients with early onset schizophrenia (González-Blanch et al., 2011). CBT helps the client develop strategies for coping and can improve overall quality of their life.
By selecting this decision, I hope to achieve a reduction in the client’s positive symptoms and an improvement in their overall quality of life. The client will also be helped to develop coping mechanisms that help them manage symptoms, and to improve their capacity to function on a daily basis (American Psychiatric Association).
The results of this decision may differ from my expectations depending on the individual client’s response to treatment. CBT is recommended by the American Psychiatric Association as a treatment option for early onset of schizophrenia.
Decide #3: Psychopharmacology Plan of Treatment I’d choose an atypical psychotic medication for the psychopharmacology plan. Atypical antipsychotics are effective in reducing positive symptoms such as hallucinations and delusions in patients with schizophrenia (González-Blanch et al., 2011). Atypical antipsychotics also have fewer side-effects than traditional antipsychotics. This can help improve adherence (American Psychiatric Association 2013).
By selecting this decision, I hope to achieve a reduction in the client’s positive symptoms and an improvement in their overall quality of life. I also hope to minimize any side effects associated with the medication and improve the client’s adherence to treatment (Laureate Education, 2016).
The results of this decision may differ from my expectations depending on the individual client’s response to the medication. The American Psychiatric Association recommends atypical antipsychotics for the treatment of early onset Schizophrenia based on research.
In developing treatment plans for early-onset schizophrenia, it is important to consider ethical issues. Clients and families should give informed consent and be made aware of the risks and potential benefits associated with treatment (Laureate Education 2016). Confidentiality should also be maintained, and the client’s right to autonomy and self-determination should be respected (American Psychiatric Association, 2013).
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th edition).). https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596 González-Blanch, C., Pérez-Iglesias, R., Rodríguez-Sánchez, J. M., Pardo-Garcia, G
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