Posted: February 5th, 2023

Early Onset Schizophrenia

Early Onset Schizophrenia
Introduction
Early-onset schizophrenia is a severe mental condition that affects children between 13 and 18 years. The condition affects the thoughts, behaviors, and feelings. Studies show that the disorder affects physical health, reduces life expectancy, psychological, social, physical, and educational functioning (Yang & Tsai, 2017). Practitioners prescribe different treatment methods for children and adolescents. The purpose of the essay is to examine the treatment of schizophrenia among children and adolescents, legal and ethical issues, and the role of a PMHNP.
Treatment Plans for Children and Adolescents
The purpose of initiating treatment of schizophrenia in both adolescents and children is to address the severity of the symptoms and prevent relapse. Children and adolescents record positive results when practitioners use both pharmacological and non-pharmacological methods (Yang & Tsai, 2017). Second-generation psychotics and psychotherapy to improve the treatment process (Young et al., 2019: 2024 – Online Assignment Homework Writing Help Service By Expert Research Writers). The two methods are crucial in optimizing the results and promoting positive outcomes. The treatment depends on the diagnosis of comorbidities that can increase the severity of the condition.
One of the major differences between the treatment plans for children and adults is the diversity of the treatment plans. FDA approves medication for children 13 years and older and adolescents (Young et al., 2019: 2024 – Online Assignment Homework Writing Help Service By Expert Research Writers). Some of the Food Administration Authority (FDA) second-generation ant-psychotics are Risperidone and Aripiprazole. One of the benefits of using second-generation antipsychotic drugs is that they trigger mild or no extrapyramidal symptoms (Young et al., 2019: 2024 – Online Assignment Homework Writing Help Service By Expert Research Writers). Adults will require advanced treatment plans such as family intervention and electroconvulsive therapy (Lecomte et al., 2017). A combination of medications and electroconvulsive therapy improves the quality of the results.
Legal and Ethical Issues
Treatment of children requires the presence of parents or guardians who will give consent to the treatment process. According to the law, children should not be forced to receive treatment. A parent or guardian will give consent since they have the legal capacity to understand the dynamics of the treatment (McDermott-Levy et al., 2018: 2024 – Write My Essay For Me | Essay Writing Service For Your Papers Online). Practitioners who force treatment on children undermine the principles of autonomy and increase risk of legal action. Forcing treatment on children may undermine the adherence to treatment. For example, healthcare workers should respect the children’s beliefs about medication (McDermott-Levy et al., 2018: 2024 – Write My Essay For Me | Essay Writing Service For Your Papers Online). Respecting the beliefs of patients is crucial in promoting a friendly healthcare environment.
PMHNP have a responsibility to obtain consent in the provision of care. One of the roles is to educate a patient or a child on the condition and the treatment plan (McDermott-Levy et al., 2018: 2024 – Write My Essay For Me | Essay Writing Service For Your Papers Online). Patient education helps a child or patient to make the best decision regarding treatment (McDermott-Levy et al., 2018: 2024 – Write My Essay For Me | Essay Writing Service For Your Papers Online). Observing the ethical issues is important in improving the quality of care and boosting the confidence of the patients.
Conclusion
Early-onset schizophrenia is a condition that requires an immediate and appropriate medical response to improve the outcomes. Children and adolescents record positive results when practitioners use both pharmacological and non-pharmacological methods. Some of the Food Administration Authority (FDA) second-generation ant-psychotics are Risperidone and Aripiprazole. Healthcare workers observe various ethical considerations in their care delivery. Some of the ethical and legal issues including consent and automy. The purpose is to maintain patient-centered care and boost the quality of the outcomes. Patients with schizophrenia should begin treatment immediately after the condition is diagnosed to improve the recovery process and prevent adverse outcomes that can undermine the quality of life.

References
Lecomte, T., Abidi, S., Garcia-Ortega, I., Mian, I., Jackson, K., Jackson, K., & Norman, R. (2017). Canadian treatment guidelines on psychosocial treatment of schizophrenia in children and youth. The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 62(9), 648-655.
McDermott-Levy, R., Leffers, J., & Mayaka, J. (2018: 2024 – Write My Essay For Me | Essay Writing Service For Your Papers Online). Ethical principles and guidelines of global health nursing practice. Nursing Outlook, 66(5), 473-481.
Yang, A. C., & Tsai, S. J. (2017). New targets for schizophrenia treatment beyond the dopamine hypothesis. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 18(8), 1689.
Young, L., Murata, L., McPherson, C., Jacob, J. D., & Vandyk, A. D. (2019: 2024 – Online Assignment Homework Writing Help Service By Expert Research Writers). Exploring the experiences of parent caregivers of adolescents children with schizophrenia: A systematic review. Archives of Psychiatric Nursing, 33(1), 93-103.
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Study Notes:
Early Onset Schizophrenia in Children and Adolescents: An Overview

Schizophrenia is a chronic and severe mental disorder that affects approximately 1% of the general population. Although the onset of schizophrenia typically occurs in late adolescence or early adulthood, a subgroup of patients experiences onset of the disorder in childhood or adolescence, known as early onset schizophrenia.

Prevalence: Early onset schizophrenia is a rare condition, with a prevalence of 0.3-0.7% in the general population. However, early onset schizophrenia has a more severe course of illness compared to adult-onset schizophrenia and is associated with higher rates of morbidity and mortality.

Diagnosis: The diagnosis of early onset schizophrenia can be challenging as the symptoms of the disorder often overlap with other psychiatric conditions, such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, major depression, and bipolar disorder. The diagnosis of early onset schizophrenia requires a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation and a careful consideration of the child’s developmental, medical, and family history.

Symptoms: The symptoms of early onset schizophrenia are similar to those of adult-onset schizophrenia, including positive symptoms (e.g., hallucinations, delusions), negative symptoms (e.g., avolition, apathy), and cognitive symptoms (e.g., disorganized thinking, poor attention). Children and adolescents with early onset schizophrenia may also experience additional developmental difficulties, such as academic problems, peer relationships difficulties, and behavioral problems.

Treatment: The treatment of early onset schizophrenia is challenging and requires a multidisciplinary approach, including medication, psychotherapy, and educational interventions. Antipsychotic medication is the primary treatment for early onset schizophrenia and has been shown to be effective in reducing symptoms. However, children and adolescents with early onset schizophrenia may experience adverse side effects from antipsychotic medication, such as weight gain, movement disorders, and metabolic changes.

Prognosis: The prognosis of early onset schizophrenia is generally poor, with a higher risk of relapse, chronic illness, and functional impairment compared to adult-onset schizophrenia. However, early and effective treatment can improve the prognosis and reduce the long-term consequences of the disorder.
Early onset schizophrenia is a complex and severe psychiatric condition that requires prompt recognition and comprehensive treatment. A multidisciplinary approach that includes medication, psychotherapy, and educational interventions can help to improve the prognosis and reduce the long-term consequences of the disorder. Further research is needed to better understand the underlying causes of early onset schizophrenia and to develop effective treatments for this population.

Reference:
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5). Washington, D.C.: American Psychiatric Association.

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