Assignment | SOCW 6090 – Psychopathology and Diagnosis for Social Work Practice | Walden University

Week 7 6090 

Diagnosing Psychosis: Schizophrenia Spectrum

Schizophrenia, which appears in individuals in their young-adult years, is one of the most disabling conditions that an individual can develop. Unlike many other DSM-5 disorders, the genetic underpinnings of schizophrenia have been studied for a long time. Symptoms of the illness appear similarly across races and cultures, although cultures vary widely in how they handle the illness.

No matter in what culture an individual is raised, it is universal that the onset profoundly changes the life course of the individual and their family members. Phases of the illness vary, in a cycle, but delays in treatment are often associated with increased difficulty in functioning. The medical model is a key element of stabilizing schizophrenia, but psychosocial interventions are increasingly critical if families and patients are to avoid the high rates of suicide, despair, isolation, unemployment, and homelessness that can result. Early and ongoing psychosocial and cognitive treatments can stabilize lives.

This week you analyze examples of individuals living with schizophrenia. You also present to the class your own differential diagnostic process for your collaboration case.

Learning Objectives

Students will:

· Analyze a case study focused on a schizophrenia disorder utilizing steps of differential diagnosis

· Recommend a measurement instrument to validate diagnosis

· Analyze client experiences with schizophrenia

· Apply measures to aid diagnosing psychosis in a social work case study

· Create an individualized treatment plan for a schizophrenia diagnosis in a social work case study

Required Readings

Morrison, J. (2014). Diagnosis made easier (2nd ed.). New York, NY: Guilford Press.

· Chapter 5, “Coping with Uncertainty” (pp. 43–56)

· Chapter 13, “Diagnosing Psychosis” (pp. 185–215)

American Psychiatric Association. (2013o). Schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders. In Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA: Author. doi:10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596.dsm02

Note: You will access this e-book chapter from the Walden Library databases.

American Psychiatric Association. (2013b). Assessment measures. In Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA: Author. doi:10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596.AssessmentMeasures

Note: You will access this e-book chapter from the Walden Library databases.

Required Media

TED Conferences, LLC (Producer). (2012). A tale of mental illness—from the inside [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.ted.com/talks/elyn_saks_seeing_mental_illness

TEDx Talks. (2017, March 27). I am not a monster: Schizophrenia | Cecilia McGough | TEDxPSU [Video file]. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/xbagFzcyNiM

Osmosis. (2016d, March 8). Schizophrenia: Causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment & pathology [Video file]. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/PURvJV2SMso

Article Choices for Assignment

Select at least 2 articles from the following list for the Assignment.

Breitborde, N. J. K., Moe, A. M., Ered, A., Ellman, L. M., & Bell, E. K. (2017). Optimizing psychosocial interventions in first-episode psychosis: Current perspectives and future directions. Psychology Research and Behavior Management, 10, 119–127. doi:10.2147/PRBM.S111593

Note: You will access this article from the Walden Library databases.

Cohen, A. N., Hamilton, A. B., Saks, E. R., Glover, D. L., Glynn, S. M., Brekke, J. S., & Marder, S. R. (2017). How occupationally high-achieving individuals with a diagnosis of schizophrenia manage their symptoms. Psychiatric Services, 68(4), 324–329. doi:10.1176/appi.ps.201600031

Note: You will access this article from the Walden Library databases.

Eack, S. M., Newhill, C. E., Anderson, C. M., & Rotondi, A. J. (2007). Quality of life for persons living with schizophrenia: More than just symptoms. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal, 30(3), 219–222. doi:10.2975/30.3.2007.219.222 

Note: You will access this article from the Walden Library databases.

Hernandez, M., Barrio, C., & Yamada, A.-M. (2013). Hope and burden among Latino families of adults with schizophrenia. Family Process, 52(4), 697–708. doi:10.1111/famp.12042 

Note: You will access this article from the Walden Library databases.

Kung, W. (2016). Tangible needs and external stressors faced by Chinese American families with a member having schizophrenia. Social Work Research, 40(1), 53–63. doi:10.1093/swr/svv047

Note: You will access this article from the Walden Library databases.

Mauritz, M., & van Meijel, B. (2009). Loss and grief in patients with schizophrenia: On living in another world. Archives of Psychiatric Nursing, 23(3), 251–260. doi:10.1016/j.apnu.2008.06.006

Note: You will access this article from the Walden Library databases.

Mueser, K. T., Penn, D. L., Addington, J., Brunette, M. F., Gingerich, S., Glynn, S. M., … Kane, J. M. (2015). The NAVIGATE program for first-episode psychosis: Rationale, overview, and description of psychosocial components. Psychiatric Services, 66(7), 680–690. doi:10.1176/appi.ps.201400413

Note: You will access this article from the Walden Library databases.

Velthorst, E., Fett, A.-K. J., Reichenberg, A., Perlman, G., van Os, J., Bronet, E. J., & Kotov, R. (2017). The 20-year longitudinal trajectories of social functioning in individuals with psychotic disorders. American Journal of Psychiatry, 174(11), 1075–1085. doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.2016.15111419

Note: You will access this article from the Walden Library databases.

Walsh, J., Hochbrueckner, R., Corcoran, J., & Spence, R. (2016). The lived experience of schizophrenia: A systematic review and meta-synthesis. Social Work in Mental Health, 14(6), 607–624. doi:10.1080/15332985.2015.1100153

Note: You will access this article from the Walden Library databases.

White, C., & Unruh, A. (2013). Unheard voices: Mothers of adult children with schizophrenia speak up. Canadian Journal of Community Mental Health, 32(3), 109–120. doi:10.7870/cjcmh-2013-025

Note: You will access this article from the Walden Library databases.

Optional Resources

American Psychiatric Association. (2018). Online assessment measures. Retrieved from https://www.psychiatry.org/psychiatrists/practice/dsm/educational-resources/assessment-measures

Optional Media

Singer, J. B. (Producer). (2008, November 17). Episode 45—Schizophrenia and social work: Interview with Shaun Eack [Audio podcast]. Retrieved from http://socialworkpodcast.blogspot.com/2008/11/schizophrenia-and-social-work-interview.html

Assignment: Schizophrenia Over Time: Experiences Living With the Illness

Experiences of schizophrenia are not homogeneous; there is wide variety in onset, course of illness, and combinations of symptoms. Social workers need to be able to understand the different manifestations and pathways of the illness to plan interventions. Social work services play a key role in stabilizing crises, supporting family coping, and influencing overall quality of life and outcomes of individuals with schizophrenia. In this Assignment, you practice applying this necessary individualization.

To prepare: In the Learning Resources, focus on the associated features, development, and course of the illnesses in the schizophrenia spectrum. Also focus on descriptions of the disorder and the way it develops for different individuals.

Choose two articles from the list in the Learning Resources that apply to treatment support and interventions for the schizophrenia spectrum. Access the Walden Library and research additional peer-reviewed articles.

Submit a 3- to 4-page paper, supported by at least 3–4 scholarly resources (including both required and additional resources), in which you address the following:

· Compare Saks’s and McGough’s experiences with schizophrenia, specifically referencing the positive and negative symptoms they each experienced.

· Explain how you would use the Clinician Rated Dimensions of Psychosis Symptom Severity measure and the WHODAS to help confirm your diagnosis.

· Identify in what ways their cases are typical or atypical of the illness in terms of onset, associated features, development, and course. Support your response with references to scholarly resources.

· Explain how you would plan treatment and individualize it for these two individuals. Support your response with references to scholarly resources. In your explanation, consider the following questions:

o What are the long-term challenges for someone living with the illness?

o What social, family, vocational, and medical supports are needed for long-term stabilization?

o How might treatment look similar or different for Saks and McGough, given they have the same diagnosis?

· Briefly explain how race/ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, religion, or other identity characteristics may influence an individual’s experience with schizophrenia.