Schizophrenia and Other Psychotic Disorders; Medication-Induced Movement Disorders

At age 18, Rose rented her first apartment in the city. Although she had a short commute to work, Rose did not enjoy the chaos and noise of the city. Within months, Rose left her apartment in the city for a small, rural cabin in the country. It was then that Rose began to withdraw from family and friends. Generally, she avoided contact with others. Her co-workers noticed random, obscure drawings on scrap paper at her desk. Additionally, her co-workers noticed other strange behaviors. Frequently, Rose would whisper to herself, appear startled when people approached her desk, and stare at the ceiling at various times throughout the day.  

For individuals with disorders such as schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders, the development of mental disorder seldom occurs with a singular, defining symptom. Rather, many who experience such disorders show a range of unique symptoms. This range of symptoms may impede an individual’s ability to function in daily life. As a result, clinicians address a patient’s ability or inability to function in life.

This week, you explore psychotic disorders, including schizophrenia. You also explore medication-induced movement disorders and formulate a diagnosis for a patient in a case study.

Assignment: Assessing and Diagnosing Patients With Schizophrenia, Other Psychotic Disorders, and Medication-Induced Movement Disorders

Psychotic disorders and schizophrenia are some of the most complicated and challenging diagnoses in the DSM. The symptoms of psychotic disorders may appear quite vivid in some patients; with others, symptoms may be barely observable. Additionally, symptoms may overlap among disorders. For example, specific symptoms, such as neurocognitive impairments, social problems, and illusions may exist in patients with schizophrenia but are also contributing symptoms for other psychotic disorders.

For this Assignment, you will analyze a case study related to schizophrenia, another psychotic disorder, or a medication-induced movement disorder.

· Consider what history would be necessary to collect from this patient.

· Consider what interview questions you would need to ask this patient.

· Identify at least three possible differential diagnoses for the patient.