University Schizophrenia Case Study Analysis: Eric

This essay provides a comprehensive analysis of a schizophrenia case study involving a 23-year-old named Eric. It begins by establishing a clinical judgment based on literature, examining Eric's symptoms and behavior changes as observed by a Crisis Resolution Team. The essay then applies the ICD-10 diagnostic criteria to determine Eric's condition, identifying him as likely suffering from Hebephrenic or disorganized schizophrenia due to his prominent affective changes, hallucinations, and delusions. It explores the aetiology of the disorder, considering potential contributing factors like environmental influences and stress. Furthermore, the essay discusses the signs and symptoms of schizophrenia as presented in Eric's case, including disorganized speech, behaviors and isolation. The essay concludes by outlining health promotion and recovery concepts, suggesting interventions such as medication and wellness programs to support Eric's recovery and prevent future relapses.

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Schizophrenia (Eric’s Case Study he suffers from Hebephrenic or disorganized
schizophrenia)
By (Name)
Course
Professor
University
Date

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Introduction
This essay seeks to discuss schizophrenia which is a mental health disorder that impacts
an individual’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors as demonstrated by Eric’s case who is 23 years.
This essay begins by integrating various works of literature to argue the clinical judgment as
examined by the Crisis Resolution Team since Eric’s family got concerned about his behavior
change. Further, this essay outlines the aetiology, signs, and symptoms of schizophrenia in
relation to Eric’s case based on the ICD-10 criterion. Additionally, this essay also demonstrates
an understanding of health promotion and recovery concepts that are connected to schizophrenia
that can prevent the occurrence of the problem in the future.
ICD-10 Diagnostic Criteria
(Uggerby et al., 2013) outlines the ICD-10 means International Classification of
Diseases, Tenth Revision, and Clinical Modification that is employed by health professionals to
code the diagnosis of illnesses (2). In this case, the ICD-10 is applied to diagnose Eric’s
condition and his signs and symptoms are well-categorized. Based on the ICD-10 diagnostic
tool, Eric seems to be suffering from Hebephrenic schizophrenia as he demonstrates prominent
affective changes, hallucinations, and delusions. Notably, Eric has unpredictable and
irresponsible behaviors that are common in patients who suffer from the same illness. Moreover,
there is a tendency of isolation as he wants to spend time in his flat and even refuses to let his
friends in the house. The issue has prolonged for the last 6 months when Eric terminated his
work and he developed inappropriate suspiciousness. When the government scientists tried to
diagnose Eric using various ways such as inserting electrodes in his brain, they identified gamma
rays from the government headquarters that instilled strange ideas in Eric’s head. However,
based on ICD-10 diagnosis there was no evidence in abnormal mood changes, disturbed motor

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functions, and incoherence speech that connects Hebephrenic Schizophrenia (Salvatore et al.,
2011). But Eric had a poor prognosis due to the rapid growth of the negative symptoms as
outlined in ICD-10. Notably, Eric also experiences perceptual disturbances that are associated
with Paranoid Schizophrenia. According to ICD-10, this type of Hebephrenic Schizophrenia is
diagnosed only in young adults or adolescents. Eric can be categorized as a young adult due to
his age (23 years) hence he is liable to be diagnosed with Hebephrenic Schizophrenia. For this
reason, Eric was sent to a psychiatric hospital for admission and he agreed as it had reached a
point whereby he feared staying at home alone.
Aetiology
Based on my personal view about Eric’s illness, it is important to evaluate his past events
such as his experiences, genes, and environmental factors that may have contributed to the signs
and symptoms. Based on the diagnosis, Eric appears to be suffering from disorganized
Schizophrenia whose cause is unknown. (Hadlich., et al 2010) outlines various factors such as
birth defects, an individual’s environment, and heredity that leads to disorganized Schizophrenia
(3). It can be assumed that Eric was exposed to some type of virus before he was born that makes
him more vulnerable to Schizophrenia. Based on the case study, it is not mentioned that Eric
engaged in drug or substance use as sometimes Schizophrenia results due to chemicals
imbalance that may impact the brain. Also, the case study does not state if there was a family
member who ever experienced the same issue as Eric, therefore, it cannot be judged as inherited.
However, based on statistics, about 21 million individuals worldwide acquire Schizophrenia
from environmental factors such as viral infections and prolonged exposure to marijuana or
stressful situations (Lisman, 2012 p.538). The case study states that Eric quit his part-time work

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in the past 6 months hence it can be judged that stress contributed to the development of the
disorder.
Signs and Symptoms
Based on the ICD-10 diagnostic criteria, the signs and symptoms of disorganized
Schizophrenia should be evident for about one month. Eric’s case study shows that he had
experienced signs and symptoms in the past 6 months when he quit his part-time job. The first
signs and symptoms of Schizophrenia begin with delusions and hallucinations and they usually
occur to individuals within 16-30 years like Eric. However, it is clear that symptoms in men
exhibit earlier than in women (Ortiz., et al 2013 p.432). Disorganized speech and disorganized
behaviors are also significant signs and symptoms that are exhibited by individuals with
Schizophrenia as seen in the case of Eric (Collin et al., 2012 p.171). Lastly, Eric depicts negative
symptoms as signs of disorganized Schizophrenia along with isolation as he denies people from
entering his flat. However, the team did not find any evidence about incoherence speech,
distorted motor function, or abnormal moods in Eric’s case which are also additional signs and
symptoms of Schizophrenia.
Health Promotion and Recovery
Health promotion refers to the strategy that helps Schizophrenic patients like Eric to
acquire control and improve their condition towards a recovery process. In this case, Eric needs
to consult the environmental and social interventions that can help him overcome the condition
(Tew., et al 2012 p.443). For instance, wellness programs and disease prevention are crucial
health promotion strategies that can support Eric towards recovery. Additionally, health
professionals should provide Eric with appropriate medications the antipsychotics such as
Asenapine, Clozapine, and Aripiprazole that can take him through the recovery process (Harrow

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and Jobe, 2013 p.962). Lastly, Eric needs to be hopeful as demonstrated by health promotion
strategies for him to undergo the recovery process successfully.
Conclusion
To summarize, this essay outlines evidence from literature and also, it consults the data
from ICD-10 diagnostic criteria. Based on the diagnosis, Eric exhibits signs and symptoms for
Hebephrenic Schizophrenia such as the unpredictable, irresponsible, fleeting and fragmentary
mannerisms that are common to patients. However, it is important to note that Eric lacks some
signs and symptoms for Hebephrenic Schizophrenia such as loss of volition and it can be
concluded that he experiences a disorganized type of Hebephrenia Schizophrenia. Based on
aetiology, Eric might have incurred complications in his early cage that tend to influence his
current state. Therefore, health promotion and recovery offers guidance about methods that Eric
can be taken through to overcome signs and symptoms exhibited.

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Bibliography
Collin, G., Derks, E.M., van Haren, N.E., Schnack, H.G., Pol, H.H., Kahn, R.S. and Cahn, W.,
2012. Symptom dimensions are associated with progressive brain volume changes in
schizophrenia. Schizophrenia research, 138(2-3), pp.171-176.
Hadlich, S.J., Kirov, A., Lampinen, T. and Zonneveld, C., 2010. What causes
schizophrenia?. Science, pp.1-16.
Harrow, M. and Jobe, T.H., 2013. Does long-term treatment of schizophrenia with antipsychotic
medications facilitate recovery?. Schizophrenia bulletin, 39(5), pp.962-965.
Lisman, J., 2012. Excitation, inhibition, local oscillations, or large-scale loops: what causes the
symptoms of schizophrenia?. Current opinion in neurobiology, 22(3), pp.537-544.
Ortiz, B.B., Araújo Filho, G.M.D., Neto, A., de Alencar, A.G., Medeiros, D. and Bressan, R.A.,
2013. Is disorganized schizophrenia a predictor of treatment resistance? Evidence from
an observational study. Brazilian Journal of Psychiatry, 35(4), pp.432-434.
Salvatore, P., Baldessarini, R.J., Tohen, M., Khalsa, H.M.K., Sanchez-Toledo, J.P., Zarate Jr,
C.A., Vieta, E. and Maggini, C., 2011. McLean-Harvard International First-Episode
Project: two-year stability of ICD-10 diagnoses in 500 first-episode psychotic disorder
patients. The Journal of clinical psychiatry, 72(2), p.183.
Tew, J., Ramon, S., Slade, M., Bird, V., Melton, J. and Le Boutillier, C., 2012. Social factors and
recovery from mental health difficulties: a review of the evidence. The British Journal of
Social Work, 42(3), pp.443-460.

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Uggerby, P., Ostergaard, S.D., Roge, R., Correll, C.U. and Nielsen, J., 2013. The validity of the
schizophrenia diagnosis in the Danish Psychiatric Central Research Register is good. Dan
Med J, 60(2), p.A4578.