Introduction
In the analyzed case study, a college student, Jasmine Mack, and her mother, Jocelyn Mack, came to an appointment at the mental health center. The girl is 18 years old, and she seems to have a psychotic disorder. The initial interview helps the mental health specialist to assign a diagnosis to Jasmine’s current condition.
Jasmine’s Diagnosis
Having listened to Jasmine’s story, one can assume that her diagnosis is schizophrenia. This diagnosis was selected because the girl experienced all symptoms of this psychotic disorder. Schizophrenia is usually diagnosed at 18-30 years, and even though the average age for women is 21-30 years, Jasmine has other symptoms that confirm the diagnosis (Wright, 2020). For example, the patient has hallucinations and delusions: she hears voices and believes that someone is watching her. Her symptoms last more than six months, which is typical for schizophrenia. The disorder affects Jasmine’s academic performance and life negatively. She cannot focus on her study anymore, and she keeps silent when her mother talks to her. The patient seems distracted and inattentive, but she does not realize that she is ill. All these symptoms are the signs of schizophrenia, and the fact that the patient experienced similar symptoms both at school and at home confirms this diagnosis.
Positive, Negative, and Disorganized Symptoms of Schizophrenia
Jasmine has been experiencing different symptoms of schizophrenia, but positive symptoms were the most evident. According to Wright (2020), positive symptoms include hallucinations and delusions. Thus, the patient believes that other people are watching her through the network of cameras they set in her room. When she returned home, she began to believe that those people set the cameras in her parents’ house too. Jasmine is constantly hearing voices, and she believes that these voices come from the voice machine. The girl claims that those people were saying stupid and mean things about her. Even when Jasmine’s mother said that the resident assistant called her and told her that Jasmine needed help, the girl replied. “She was in on it too” (Jasmine Case Study, n.d.). These false beliefs and perceptions can be referred to as positive symptoms of schizophrenia.
Negative symptoms are not as obvious as positive ones. In the case study, Jasmine experienced such negative symptoms as asociality, avolition, and anhedonia (Correll & Schooler, 2020). The girl did not communicate with her peers and always stayed in her room. She did not answer her parents’ calls, which is another sign of asociality and social isolation. Jasmine showed no happiness or joy and did not initiate communication during the appointment. Moreover, she had no motivation to study and go out because she believed that she was under the observation of some other people.
Disorganized symptoms of schizophrenia include disorganized speech and behavior. Although Jasmine did not demonstrate strong disorganized symptoms during the interview, some features of these signs could be seen in her behavior. For example, shaking her head and speaking in monotone, holding herself and rocking, being silent, and then interrupting the doctor – all these actions are the signs of disorganized behavior.
Treatment and Resources
Jasmine’s case requires both medical and non-pharmacological therapy. A holistic approach should be used for the treatment of schizophrenia. Antipsychotic drugs, such as clozapine or risperidone, along with vitamin D or folic acid, should be prescribed to Jasmine to treat the positive symptoms (Ganguly et al., 2018). However, antipsychotics should be carefully chosen since they may have various side effects. Yoga should be suggested as an add-on to medications, and cognitive behavior therapy would be an add-on to antipsychotics (Ganguly et al., 2018, p. 3). A high-fiber diet can also “improve the immune and cardiovascular system” and prevent premature mortality from schizophrenia (Ganguly et al., 2018, p. 5). Jasmine should learn to self-help and seek face-to-face support to treat the disorder. If the patient follows all these recommendations, she will treat and manage schizophrenia and enjoy life again.
I would recommend several resources that might be helpful for Jasmine. Some of these resources are the National Institute of Mental Health, the National Alliance of Mental Health, the American Psychiatric Association, and the Brain and Behavior Research Foundation. All these websites provide useful and the most current information about different psychotic disorders.
Strengths in Jasmine’s Case
The main strengths in Jasmine’s case are her emotional intelligence and readiness to interact. The girl believes that she is a smart student, which is why other people want to duplicate her and be like her. If she is really intelligent, it will be easier to convince her of the necessity of treatment. Moreover, when her mother left the room, Jasmine showed her readiness to cooperate and work on the problem. This strength can also be used in her treatment plan since it allows for arranging an appointment with a doctor and choosing a proper approach to her disease.
In conclusion, Jasmine’s case is a typical example of schizophrenia. The girl has hallucinations and delusions, and her academic performance and personal life are affected negatively. Fortunately, Jasmine’s condition can be improved if she takes medications and sticks to the doctor’s prescriptions and recommendations.
References
Correll, C.U., & Schooler, N. R. (2020). Negative symptoms in schizophrenia: A review and clinical guide for recognition, assessment, and treatment. Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment, 16, 519-534.
Ganguly, P., Soliman, A., & Moustafa, A.A. (2018). Holistic management of schizophrenia symptoms using pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment. Frontiers in Public Health, 6(166), 1-9.
Jasmine case study. (n.d.).
Wright, M. (2020). Schizophrenia and schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Journal of the American Academy of the Physician Assistants, 33(6), 46-47.