Paranoid Schizophrenia
Definition:
Paranoid schizophrenia is one type of schizophrenia in which, the person is preoccupied with delusions or frequent auditory hallucinations or both. The person is fearful and suspicious, thinking someone or something is will hurt or kill them.
Cause/Risk Factors:
The exact cause is unknown.
Contributing risk factors include:
• Psychological factors
• Social and environmental factors
• Infection while in the womb
• Genetics
• Serious infection during early childhood
• Serotonin imbalances
Signs & Symptoms:
Physical:
• Delusions
• Auditory hallucinations
• Anxiety and panic attacks
Behavioral:
• Aggressive behavior or argumentative
• Violent outbursts
• Condescending
• Detachment
• Jealousy
• Paranoia
• Fear
Treatment: …show more content…
Nursing Interventions:
1. Assess severity and symptoms of disorder – Rationale: Knowing the extent of this disorder helps in planning treatment.
2. Determine what the patient is paranoid of through careful and thoughtful questioning – Rationale: The external source can be identified and current responses can be assessed.
3. Determine to what degree the patient’s disorder is affecting his or her daily life – Rationale: Paranoia can be so severe that the patient is unable to work with others or perform regular daily tasks.
4. Avoid sudden physical contact – Rationale: Paranoid patients may perceive touch as threatening.
5. A creative approach may have to be used to encourage food intake. For example, canned food and allowing the client’s own can opener or giving family-style meals – Rationale: Suspicious patients may believe they are being poisoned and refuse to eat food from the individually prepared tray.
6. Mouth checks may be necessary after medication administration – Rationale: Suspicious patents may think you are trying to poison them and not swallow the
Definition:
Paranoid schizophrenia is one type of schizophrenia in which, the person is preoccupied with delusions or frequent auditory hallucinations or both. The person is fearful and suspicious, thinking someone or something is will hurt or kill them.
Cause/Risk Factors:
The exact cause is unknown.
Contributing risk factors include:
• Psychological factors
• Social and environmental factors
• Infection while in the womb
• Genetics
• Serious infection during early childhood
• Serotonin imbalances
Signs & Symptoms:
Physical:
• Delusions
• Auditory hallucinations
• Anxiety and panic attacks
Behavioral:
• Aggressive behavior or argumentative
• Violent outbursts
• Condescending
• Detachment
• Jealousy
• Paranoia
• Fear
Treatment: …show more content…
Nursing Interventions:
1. Assess severity and symptoms of disorder – Rationale: Knowing the extent of this disorder helps in planning treatment.
2. Determine what the patient is paranoid of through careful and thoughtful questioning – Rationale: The external source can be identified and current responses can be assessed.
3. Determine to what degree the patient’s disorder is affecting his or her daily life – Rationale: Paranoia can be so severe that the patient is unable to work with others or perform regular daily tasks.
4. Avoid sudden physical contact – Rationale: Paranoid patients may perceive touch as threatening.
5. A creative approach may have to be used to encourage food intake. For example, canned food and allowing the client’s own can opener or giving family-style meals – Rationale: Suspicious patients may believe they are being poisoned and refuse to eat food from the individually prepared tray.
6. Mouth checks may be necessary after medication administration – Rationale: Suspicious patents may think you are trying to poison them and not swallow the