Download Mental Illness_Care and Understanding of Schizoaffective Disorder

MENTAL ILLNESS
Mental Illness:
Care and Understanding of Schizoaffective Disorder
Jennifer Kitchen
December 9, 2013
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Mental Illness
Mental illness is a serious health issue both in America and in the global
community. An individual with a mental health issue may have a hard time explaining
their disorder and those who do not have a mental illness do not easily understand how
an individual can feel when they suffer. If you or someone you know suffers from a
mental disorder the best thing you can do to find help in understanding what is going on
with the specific condition. The misunderstandings about mental health issues can lead
to stigma, which often prevents those suffering from seeking help (Bring Change 2
Mind, 2013). To start understanding mental health, it is important to view the fact the
brain, one of the body's most important organs, can become ill like any other organ and
illness be caused by a variety of factors, from genetics to other biological, environmental
and social/cultural. One in six adults live with a mental health issue, such as
depression, bipolar disorder, PTSD, and schizophrenia (Bring Change 2 Mind, 2013).
Living with a mental disorder can be difficult but with treatment and understanding, there
is hope.
Schizoaffective Disorder
Schizoaffective disorder is a serious psychiatric condition, which shares elements
with both schizophrenia and serious mood (affective) disorders. According to the
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), one in every 100 people suffers from
schizoaffective disorder (2013). As with schizophrenia and mood disorders, not a whole
lot is known about what causes schizoaffective disorder. Genetic factors may play a
role, as it affects those whose family members have a history of schizophrenia,
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schizoaffective disorder, and bipolar or other mood disorders (Frazier and Dryzmkowski,
2009). Not knowing what truly is behind a mental disorder can be frustrating but
learning about an illness leads to a better understanding of what can be done to move
forward.
This disorder can make it difficult to function as it disturbs emotions and thinking,
causing irrational thoughts. Not all patients will have the all the same signs and
symptoms, but psychotic symptoms (paranoia, delusions, and hallucinations) occur
during a course of mood instability (swinging into mania and depression) and may
persist between episodes of mood instability (NAMI, 2013). This can make it hard, not
only for the patient suffering with schizoaffective disorder but for the family, friends,
loved ones, and care takers of the ill individual. Being diagnosed with schizoaffective
disorder can be difficult to handle, for all involved, but with medication, counseling, and
support recovery is possible.
Caregiver Education and Support
Having reliable information is important when suffering with a mental illness or
caring for a loved one who has a mental illness. Pathways for Caregivers is a source of
information, advice, and ideas on how to get support that is needed by family care
givers (Caregivers Coalition of Morrison County, 2009). Accurate and up-to-date
materials, programs, and websites can assist in the care process by helping caregivers
understand the issue and what they can do to help. Individuals who are caregivers and
find helpful information often share their finds with others. This guidebook was created
by caregivers for caregivers, contains fourteen chapters covering everything from
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finding support and education programs to self-care and legal matters (Caregivers
Coalition of Morrison County, 2009). By sharing this very helpful information caregivers
can make it easier for themselves and others to find what helps in their situation.
Caregivers for the mentally ill are often family members. Educational courses
that focus on teaching family members the skills they need to care for their mentally ill
loved one are common. These courses are often led by family members increasing the
support system and helps families understand that they are not alone. One such
educational course, Journey of Hope, provides families with education, skills, and
support needed to care for adults with mental illness using two trained volunteers, also
family caregivers (Pickett-Schenk, Lippincott, et al, 2008). A person in the caregiving
situation sharing what they know goes a long way to help everyone involved. Being
trained to teach a course allows these two individuals to pass on the most important
information to the audience, who like them is in need of support and more knowledge.
The course covers biological causes and standard treatment of schizophrenia,
schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder, major depression, and obsessive-compulsive
disorder and also teaches problem solving, coping, normative reactions, self-care,
community treatment programs, and consumer recovery (Pickett-Schenk, Lippincott, et
al, 2008). Understanding an illness makes it easier to cope with and recover from the
illness. The course is free and meets once a week for two hours for eight weeks in a
nonclinical setting (Pickett-Schenk, Lippincott, et al, 2008). Sixteen hours spent
learning about mental illnesses and how to deal with a disorder can empower family
members by giving them the knowledge to move forward with their ill loved one.
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Patient Education and Support
Much of the time information and education is passed on to the patient through
brochures and booklets. Janssen Educational Services has excellent resources for
many mental health issues. Two resources that can be very useful for the patient are
“Schizoaffective Disorder: A Patient’s Guide: What I Should Know About My Disorder”
And “Mind and Body Journal: A Whole New Chapter in Your Life.” The first is a booklet
to help the patient gain insight into their illness and shares tips to make it through each
day. Knowing who can help, about medications, making appointments and keeping
them, recognizing signs of the illness, and planning treatment goals can help a patient
take charge of their mental health (Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals, 2010). By
learning about the illness and his or her own signs and symptoms, a person can learn
how to cope with an upcoming episode. The “Mind and Body Journal” is about
recording daily life in order to capture these signs and symptoms. The journal asks
patients to record goals, feelings, thoughts, symptoms, body feelings, and medications
for 31 days (Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals, 2008). By tracking daily
happenings, a patient can see how they are progressing along recovery and it helps
track how medications are affecting them.
Public Awareness
Led by Mind and Rethink Mental Illness, Time to Change is England's program
designed to challenge mental health stigma and discrimination (2008). By going to
time-to-change.org.uk, anyone can learn about mental health issues, the effects of
stigma and discrimination, and how to break the stigma, talking about mental health.
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This website gives a lot for people to use toward opening a conversation on mental
health. There are videos and other media sources, a pledge to talk about mental
health, and several ways to get involved (Mind and Rethink Mental Illness, 2008). The
videos are awesome explanations from people who suffer from mental health issues,
such as depression, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety,
personality disorders, schizophrenia, and schizoaffective disorder.
Jonny Benjamin shares his story via a video. He was diagnosed at with
schizoaffective disorder when he was 20 and has learned to live with it but admits it can
at times be difficult (2013). The paranoia, disturbing thoughts, and delusions are only
some of the issues he faces. Living with the stigma attached to being mentally ill is
what he finds most difficult (Benjamin, 2013). In his video, he opens up about how
people with mental illness are viewed by the general public. Many people are not aware
of what being mentally ill really means and the stigma is due to misconceptions about
mental health. As Jonny says, people think that people with schizophrenia are “violent
or dangerous” when in reality they are just as “human” as anyone else is (2013). This
video and dozens more from Time to Change are bringing about awareness and
understanding about what living with a mental health issue means. The stigma of
mental illness is something that keeps people in the dark, hiding with their illness and
not seeking treatment.
Discussion
As with most diseases, a mental illness are no one’s fault and is treatable
through medication and psychosocial therapies, allowing the opportunity to lead full and
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productive lives for those who suffer from mental health issues (Bring Change 2 Mind,
2013). Caregivers, whether family members or in a clinical setting, need support just as
much as the patient. Having the right resources and a good support system helps all
involved to move forward toward a recovery. The patient suffering with schizoaffective
disorder or any other mental health issue needs the opportunity to take part in their
care. By using the educational material and journaling about the daily experiences, a
patient is better able to find the right treatment plan. NAMI has an essential list for
recovery, which includes a safe and stable environment, support, and good medical
treatment (2012). These things are very important to someone suffering from mental
illness and with care from those close to them and the ability to be open about their
illness progress can happen.
Public awareness is something that needs more work, as news stories can make
it seem that all mental health patients are a burden on society and creators of crime. In
truth, people who suffer from mental health issues are no different from any other
human on this planet, except that they function a little differently sometimes. The
stigma and discrimination of mental illness needs to stop, as these people can live
healthy fulfilling lives. When stigma persists, it is harder for a mentally ill individual to
seek assistance, so stigma breaking needs to start at home. If you or someone you
know suffers from a mental health issue (or you think there may be a mental health
issue) speak to the doctor and get some advice. A mental health diagnosis can be
scary at first but is the first step to recovery, afterward the journey can begin.
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References
Benjamin, J. (October 23, 2013). What it's like to live with schizoaffective disorder.
Retreived from http://www.time-to-change.org.uk/blog/living-with-schizoaffectivedisorder
Bring Change 2 Mind. (2013). Learn the Facts. Retreived
http://bringchange2mind.org/pages/learn-the-facts
Caregivers Coalition of Morrison County. (2009). Caregiving for a Loved One with
Mental Illness. Retreived from
http://www.caregiving.org/pdf/coalitions/PathwaysNewSection3MentaIll.pdf
Frazier, M. S., and Dryzmkowski, J. W. (2009). Essentials of Human Diseases and
Conditions (4th Ed.). St. Louis, MO: Saunders Elsevier Inc.
Mind and Rethink Mental Illness. (2008) Time to Change: let’s end mental health
discrimination. Retrieved from http://www.time-to-change.org.uk/
National Alliance on Mental Illness. (2001). Family-To-Family Education Program:
Class Charts and Tables. Retreived from
http://www.nami.org/namiland09/F2Fpptchartsrevised.pdf
National Alliance on Mental Illness. (2013). Schizoaffective Disorder. Retreived from
http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?Section=By_Illness&Template=/ContentManagemen
t/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=23043
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Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals. (2008). Mind & Body Journal. Retreived from
http://www.janssencns.com/sites/default/files/pdf/invega/01JN668_576184_mindbody_e
nglish.pdf
Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals. (2010). Schizoaffective Disorder: a patient’s
guide.
http://www.invega.com/assets/01JN09158_Schizoaffective_Disorder_Brochure.pdf#zoo
m=100
Pickett-Schenk, S.A., Lippincott, R.C., Bennett, C., and Steigman, P.J. (2008).
Improving Knowledge About Mental Illness Through Family-Led Education: The Journey
of Hope. Psychiatric Services; doi: 10.1176/appi.ps.59.1.49. Retrieved from
http://ps.psychiatryonline.org/data/Journals/PSS/3833/08ps49.pdf