Causes of the Excess Mortality of Schizophrenia, Essay Example

Abstract

This paper provides a thorough mental health assessment and risk assessment for James Oxley based on the movie The Sunnyboy. His life story, struggles, success and failure are taken into consideration in making the assessment. Symptoms such as: a) poor self-care; b) lack of speech spontaneity; c) dampened mood and; d) loss of will power, factors of relapse such as 1) Non-compliance with the drug treatment; 2) Reduction or discontinuation of the specified drug treatment; 3) Use of street drugs; 5) Stress caused by the family and; 6) Life events, current risk and recommendations pertaining to schizophrenia are discussed as well. This paper is aimed to be able to understand the diagnosis of schizophrenia, to provide support for the family and to reduce the stigma behind it.

Mental Health Examination and Risk Assessment

Mental illness should not be considered as a death sentence rendered to the persona afflicted with it. The examinations being conducted in order to make a full assessment of a mental health is geared towards understanding the condition, remove stigma and to help people reclaim hope and meaning in their lives (Warner, 2001). In this regard, this paper is geared towards providing a mental health examination and risk assessment for Jeremy Oxley as observed in the movie The Sunnyboy.

Jeremy Oxley, 50 years old, from the band Sunnyboys in Australia emerges from his battle with schizophrenia for 30 years now. Although it can be seen that he is now stable, emotionally and physically with the help of medications, a loving and secure environment, his battle with the disease has left certain damages with his relationships with his family and friends. The struggle of Jeremy Oxley with mental health started off with symptoms like hallucinations and delusions (Corrigan, 1998). He also has incidents of psychotic symptoms that resulted to social impairment. There are times when he would just want to be alone and secluded. He further exhibits lack of volition and certain degree of apathy. Jeremy Oxley also exhibits the following symptoms: a) poor self-care; b) lack of speech spontaneity; c) dampened mood and; d) loss of will power. However, these symptoms are not being exhibited all at the same time. These symptoms seem to occur at different times during the day (Perkins, 2002).

Body

Although it seems that Jeremy Oxley’s behavior and appearance are normal, abnormal movements are noticeable. He is exhibiting mannerism and stereotypies such as grimacing for no reason. This could be attributed to the drug treatment and medication he is on. Speech is normal although there are times when there is a loss of logical flow from one idea to another- disjoining the sections of speech. Mood exhibited are both blunted and incongruous (Siris, 2001). He sometimes loses variability and also exhibits emotions that are inappropriate at the time.

Jeremy Oxley’s family environment is reducing the chance of his relapse. The family is well educated about the diagnosis and is dealing with the symptoms positively. His nurse wife is monitoring not just his mental health but as well as his physical health. His other physical conditions such as diabetes are well-monitored. He is getting the support he needs to maintain a normal and meaningful life.

Risk Assessment

The cause of schizophrenia is still unknown. However, there are predisposing factors that can be attributed to it. In this particular case, increased social stressors and genetic predisposition are observed. Prior to his diagnosis, he has been living a sad life with the weight of the world on his shoulder. It came to a point wherein he considered living to be a burden and feeling aggravated for the most part. Poor social skills which are very apparent in this case cannot be disregarded as well. Jeremy Oxley exhibits social isolation and unconventional thinking. These characteristics and behaviors are generally linked to schizophrenia (Larsen, 2001).

There are various causes of relapse among people with schizophrenia. Some of the common factors are (Hoge, 2000): 1) Non-compliance with the drug treatment; 2) Reduction or discontinuation of the specified drug treatment; 3) Use of street drugs; 5) Stress caused by the family and; 6) Life events (Lewis, 1998). Jeremy Oxley, prior to his clean-living now has used alcohol to self-medicate instead of continuing on his prescription drugs and set on a path to self-destruction. Hence, it cannot be denied that Jeremy Oxley might experience relapse without the proper management of his condition. In this regard, it is important that his care is continually given based on the following recommendations (Rector, 2001):

• Discussion with the family members and primary caregivers about proper care is important. Continued education and seminars are necessary to ensure that he is getting the proper care needed (Brown, 2000).
• Health management. His diabetes should be monitored regularly and should be encouraged to live a healthier lifestyle. Enable him to take responsibility for his own health to lessen the chances of relapse.
• Occupational therapy is suggested in order to fully assess the degree of how he is functioning on the daily basis including the performance of the activities of daily living.
• Community and work engagement. It is important that he be encouraged to work and participate in the community as tolerated. He should be encouraged to write songs and to do things that he enjoys. This is to avoid seclusion, relapse and social impairment.
• Family Connection. The main factor that helped Oxley is his family support and connection. Without which, he would have continued on to the path of self-destruction.

Relapse is the main challenge in dealing with people with schizophrenia. Therefore, it is important that there is a support group that can be turned into for help. Friendly connection works well for Oxley and it should be encouraged. His mental health diagnosis is not a death sentence (Van, 1974).

Citations and References

Brown, S. (2000). Causes of the Excess Mortality of Schizophrenia. Br J Psychiatry, 177, 212-217.

Corrigan, P. (1998). Building Teams and Programs for Effective Rehabilitation. New Dir Ment Health Serv, 79, 1-93.

Hoge, M. (2000). The Case Against Outpatient Commitment. J Am Acad Psychiatry Law, 28, 165-170.

Larsen, T. (2001). Early detection and intervention in first-episode schizophrenia: a critical review. Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, 103, 326-334.

Lewis, B. (1998). Schizophrenia: Fast Facts. Oxford: Health Press.

Perkins, D. (2002). Predictors of Non-Compliance in Patients with Schizoprenia. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 63, 1121-1128.

Rector, N. (2001). Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Schizophrenia: An Empirical Review. Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 189, 278-287.

Siris, S. (2001). Suicide and Schizophrenia. Journal of Psychopharmacology, 15, 127-135.

Van, P. (1974). Why do Schizophrenia Patients Refuse to Take Their Drugs? Arch Gen Psychiatry, 31, 67-72.

Warner, R. (2001). Combating the Stigma of Schizophrenia. Epidemiologia Psichiatria Sociale, 10, 12-17.