Once a Schizophrenic, Always a Schizophrenic free essay sample

There is an estimated 2. 5million Americans diagnosed with schizophrenia (McGuire, 2000). The disease takes many forms but general symptoms of schizophrenia are the hearing of voices, delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, and confused thinking. People with schizophrenia become disengaged from society. They are unable to function in the expected roles of student, worker, or spouse. The concept of the disease is generally agreed upon by experts, what differs, however, is the prognosis. Is it possible for those with schizophrenia to recover, can they return to society and live full productive, independent lives? There are two differing views on this subject presented in Patrick A. McGuire’s 2000 article â€Å"New Hope for People with Schizophrenia. According to McGuire there is a movement of psychologists who disagree with the traditional medical model and are now supporting a new recovery philosophy known as psychosocial rehabilitation. The old treatment models viewed patients with schizophrenia as hopeless cases who needed to be stabilized with hospitalization and maintained with medications. We will write a custom essay sample on Once a Schizophrenic, Always a Schizophrenic? or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page It was believed that these people would have schizophrenia for the rest of their lives with no chance of recovery. The traditional medical model defined a â€Å"good outcome† for people with schizophrenia as a total cessation of symptoms with no further hospitalization. This â€Å"good outcome† was obtained with the use of tranquilizers such as Thorazine, which made the management of patients easier, but only hid the disease. Within the older model very little attention was paid to the individual patient and their different needs. The old medical model’s â€Å"one-size-fits-all† approach was to medicate and if the patient did not get well immediately they were â€Å"deemed forever chronic† (McGuire, 2000, p211). The traditional treatment paradigm reports that only about 10 to 20 percent of those with schizophrenia might achieve recovery. In contrast to the medical model of treatment, there is now a new take on how to treat people with schizophrenia. The emphasis is put on the potential for growth in the individual rather than merely the pathological aspect of the disease. The potential is then developed by integrating medical, psychological, and social interventions. Those who embrace the new recovery model define recovery very differently than those who embrace the old medical model. For example, William A. Anthony, PhD, executive director of Boston University’s Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation, views recovery as â€Å"the development of new meaning and purpose as one grows beyond the catastrophe of mental illness† (McGuire, 2000 p212). Psychologist Courtenay M. Harding, PhD, a professor of psychiatry at the University of Colorado, defines recovery as â€Å"reconstituted social and work behaviors, no need for meds, no symptoms, no need for compensation† (McGuire, 2000 p212). To obtain these goals psychosocial rehabilitation programs provide patients with work and social skills training, education about their disease and why medications are important, symptom management and therapy for dealing with the trauma of having schizophrenia. Patients are taught how to access resources such as health services and housing, and to regain independent functioning. These programs have shown that as high as 68 percent of patients have recovered and shown significant improvement. Despite ongoing symptoms patients have been able to move on to live fulfilling lives. One such example is Ronald Bassman, PhD, who was diagnosed with schizophrenia as a young man recovered, earned his doctorate and is now involved in patient empowerment programs in the New York State Office of Mental Health. Psychiatrist and researcher Nancy Andreasen cites that a â€Å"self-fulfilling prophecy† contributes to the lack of recovery of many patients. A self-fulfilling prophecy is the process by which one’s expectations about a person eventually lead that person to behave in ways that confirm those expectations. In other words by telling patients with schizophrenia that they have no chance of recovery the patient basically gives in to that idea and makes it true, they don’t recover. This may be one reason for the low percentage of patients who recover or significantly improve with the traditional treatment methods. In the new treatment methods however, patients are given support and confidence that they can overcome their disease and are far more likely to improve. All people deserve to have every opportunity possible to live full lives. Drug addicts, alcoholics, criminals, those with handicaps, and those with diseases or medical conditions are all capable, with the right support system and self motivation, to become independent, fulfilled and productive members of society. They just need to be given a chance and perhaps a helping hand.