Safety Plan for Schizophrenia

This safety plan for schizophrenia discusses the symptoms, misdiagnosis, and treatment options for schizophrenia. It provides insight into the effect of misdiagnosis and discontinued treatment that might follow with a schizophrenic patient. The treatment for schizophrenia is continued throughout life, there is no possible cure for this kind of a disorder. Medication along with recovery-based therapy reduces the adverse symptoms, but does not completely cease it. The best model for Ted’s condition would have been implementation of recovery oriented mental health care. This model approach addresses the individual’s unique ability and provides a person-centered care.

Running head: MENTAL HEALTH CARE
Safety Plan for Schizophrenia
Name of Student
Name of University
Author Note

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Introduction
Schizophrenia is a major mental disorder effecting 1% of total population of the world.
This is a serious issue, which needs to be addressed in time and continued efforts of family and
care providers help reducing the risks associated with schizophrenia (NIMH » Schizophrenia,
2018). The case provides an insight into the effect of misdiagnosis and discontinued treatment
that might follow with a schizophrenic patient.
Discussion
Symptoms of Schizophrenia
The symptoms for schizophrenia vary from person to person, but the most common
symptoms are idiosyncratic delusion, hallucination with any of the five senses, disorientation in
thoughts and motor skills, word salad, unpredictability, agitation, aggression and suicidal
tendencies (Wilson-d’Almeida et al., 2013).
Ted’s Symptoms
The patient in the case study Ted showed most of these symptoms like delusions,
hallucination and suicidal tendencies which drove him into paranoia and ultimately compelled
him to take his own life after he was discharged from the mental hospital. Ted underwent
hallucinations about being physically restrained by imaginary agents which would disappear
(Modinos et al., 2013) This inflicted suicidal thoughts for which he had to transfer into the
mental hospital. The symptoms minimized during his stay in the mental hospital in the beginning
but his symptoms were recurrent, which made the initial asylum transfer him to a new one. The
second hospital where he was assigned personal staffs to keep him comforted. Ted’s paranoia

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went into overdrive when he was released from the asylum and he started believing in delusions
that his life was in danger and that he needed to get back to the hospital for safety. Even when
the patient was in his home, he deluded himself into believing he was not safe and finally took
his life two years later after the death of his care nurse (Saarinen, Lehtonen & Lönnqvist, 1999).
Possible methods to address Ted’s delusion, hallucination and depression
The treatment for schizophrenia is continued throughout life, there is no possible cure for
this kind of a disorder. Medication along with recovery-based therapy reduces the adverse
symptoms, but does not completely cease it (Slade et al., 2014). The treatment is usually done by
regularly visiting a psychiatrist for continued therapy, medications to reduce psychosis, care
under psychiatric asylum or social work centre to provide an all rounded approach to achieve
better mental health. Many anti-psychosis drugs can be administered which neurologically
control the effect of dopamine on brain (Modinos et al., 2013). Psychosocial interventions help
treating the psychosis by approaching the patient with an individualistic perspective. Training
can be provided to the patient, which will help them improve their social skills to reduce anxiety
and aggression. The engagement of family along with psychotherapy and their continued support
improves the patient’s condition. Vocational training for employment can be given to the patients
which will provide a sense of purpose to them and prevent existential crisis (Shepherd et al.,
2014).
Misdiagnosis of Ted
The practitioners in the facility centre did not take into consideration the underlying
trouble that the patient could have possibly been undergoing an existential crisis and depression.
The patient was also lonely which added with his delusional tendencies made him think that his
life was in danger. The practitioners failed to extend the treatment, which increased Ted’s

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depression. He kept trying to go back to the facility because he thought his life was in danger and
the practitioners did not take notice of that (Haddock et al., 2013). Ted’s family was also not
involved in the care plan, which made him run away from the house. The assigned nurse’s death
further enhanced Ted’s loneliness, which ultimately caused him untimely demise. The
practitioner could have given Ted vocational training and involved him in group activities which
would have enabled him to become self reliant and explore his artistic temperament.
Incorporation of art in psychotherapy has proven to provide improved results in psychotherapy.
Patients even have overcome their disorder and lead a better life, with continued therapy and
practice of artistic talent (Shea, 2016).
Best and least effective Theoretical Approach for Ted
The best model for Ted’s condition would have been implementation of recovery
oriented mental health care. This model approach addresses the individual’s unique ability and
provides a person-centered care. The interventions provide realistic advice respective of the
patient’s condition which provides improved outcome (Slade et al., 2014). Management of
attitude and teaching personal right to the patient also would have helped Ted reduce his
psychosis. The model respect the personal boundary of the patient and treats them with respect
without being judgmental, this stabilizes the patient’s self esteem and gives them confidence.
The fundamental theory of the model is to provide a well balanced patient-therapist relationship
which is aided by interpersonal communication and maintenance of privacy and safety of the
patient. Including the patient in the recovery process and gaining therapeutic consent from the
patient is very important and will make the patient feel included, secure and provide purpose.
Ted would have benefitted from this approach of the providers would have able to address these

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key factors. The practitioners failed to evaluate the importance of lifelong sustenance of
schizophrenic treatment.
The least effective theory for schizophrenic treatment would have the electroconvulsive
therapy. This is a very controversial method of treatment for schizophrenia or other severe
mental disorders. Many have protested that the technique is unethical and almost inhuman where
the patient is electric current is provided through the brain which changes the neuronal effects of
brain and reverses the psychotic manifestations (Kroes et al., 2014).
Describe treatment options for addressing all of Ted’s symptoms.
Ted could have been treated with recovery oriented treatment method which needed to be
continued throughout his life. The model provides an all rounded approach to mental illness. Ted
would have benefitted from depressive treatment, which would have taught him overcome his
paranoia, feel included, and provided a cure for his existential crisis (Slade et al., 2014).
Medications like anti-psychotics would have also helped Ted reduce the manifestations of his
hallucination and delusions. The practitioners failed to address the key factor that was troubling
Ted for a long time. Ted could have also benefitted from vocational training, which would have
provided a purpose in his life and reduced self-harming tendencies.
Religious and Spiritual beliefs during depression and Suicidal tendencies
The religious belief, the dependence and worship of an invisible stronger force is evident
in humans ever since the stone ages. People worshipped the natural forces, which made them
afraid. The belief in religions comes from an early age provided by a child’s parents and when
that child grows up and realizes through his or her senses that existence of God or Almighty is
debatable, their whole ideology and belief is shaken, giving the person an existential crisis

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(Weber & Pargament, 2014). People who are not mentally challenged can handle this logically,
but for people who are already facing mental dilemma, the crisis takes shape into depression
ultimately leading to suicide.
Conclusion:
Mental disorder is a critical treatment as the mind of the person is affected which induces
social and physical abnormalities. The treatment of such disorders needs to more person-centric,
and extended. The case of Ted could have been avoided if the practitioners identified his
depression alon

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References
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