MENTAL HEALTH WRITTEN TASKPractice, policy and social inclusion You are to write a professional report in relation to a mental health diagnosis topic chosen from the list below. The report is to:1....

Running Head: SCHIZOPHRENIA                                1
SCHIZOPHRENIA                                        2
MENTAL HEALTH WRITTEN TASK
PRACTICE, POLICY AND SOCIAL INCLUSION
[CHOSEN TOPIC: SCHIZOPHRENIA]
Table of Contents
Introduction    3
1. Definition of the Diagnosis of Schizophrenia    3
2. Prevailing Issues in Right-based Practice related to Diagnosis    5
3. Critical Analysis of a Schizophrenia Policy for Australians    7
4. Impact of Social Exclusion on Schizophrenia Patients    9
5. Innovative Policy Change to Benefit Clients    10
Conclusion    12
References    13
Introduction
    The society has been plagued with a huge diversity of mental disorders, most often characterised by overlapping symptoms. As stated by Compton and Shim (2015), health is characterised by both physical and mental aspects, which is why individuals, who keep good health, both physically as well as mentally are referred to as a healthy person. Despite these facts, the concept and importance of mental well-being have been overlooked as well as treated as insignificant down the ages. Schizophrenia is one of the major mental disorders that have gained increased popularity in the recent years. It is one of the most widespread mental disorders and is characterised by delusions as well as hallucinations. The affected individuals also suffer from thought disorders and corresponding disorientation. This essay attempts to look into the various aspects of Schizophrenia, its diagnosis and related governmental policies pertaining to the disorder.
1. Definition of the Diagnosis of Schizophrenia
According to the definition presented by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5), Schizophrenia could be classified as an emotional, cognitive and behavioural disorder (Psycom, 2018). As observed by Aboraya (2018), there is no specific test for the disease. Hence, all the symptoms must be thoroughly observed for detecting Schizophrenia. As suggested by as observed by Gallagher and Jones (2017), the onset of the disease occurs between mid-teens and mid-thirties. The DSM-5 provides guidelines for detection of Schizophrenia. It suggests that among Delusions, Hallucinations, Speech problems, Disorganised behaviour and decreased expressions, if patient provides one or two of these symptoms, for a month span, then the patient may suffer from Schizophrenia. Reduced signs of self-care, lack of interest in work and hampered interpersonal relations are also associated. The DSM-5 presents with two phases of the disorder, active and residual. The Active phase is not associated with mood disorders and the Residual phase involves negative symptoms (Psycom, 2018).
The most primitive step in investigation would encompass the physical examination procedure. As noted by Viher et al. (2018), the physical examination targets to identify the physical anomalies presented by a schizophrenic individual as compared to a normal individual. The physical examination includes measuring basic parameters like weight, BMI, blood pressure and others. Schizophrenia often results in significant weight changes in affected people. The physicians also observe the suspected schizophrenic patients for erratic eyeball movements as well as increased frequencies of blinking. Besides these, the physicians also observe tendencies of repeated and unusual, abnormal movements.
According to Frith (2014), the next step would entail conducting examinations to help rule out the probable contributions of alcohol, drugs as well as other substances in the development of the present situation of the patient. The doctor may also upon applying neuro-imaging techniques. As noted by Chyzhyk, Savio and Grana (2015), the brain structure of schizophrenic individuals show marked differences with respect to normal individuals. These differences when spotted using brain imaging techniques like the Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and CT scan (Computed Tomography) would help recognise the individuals suffering from Schizophrenia.
Since Schizophrenia is a mental disorder, the psychiatric evaluation of the disorder would be of utmost significance. As mentioned by Bland (1998), a psychiatric evaluation may involve both questionnaire based and test based. Interviewing and observing the patient may help the doctor classify the type of schizophrenia developed based on the symptoms presented. The doctor may classify the condition to be as paranoid, when the patient presents symptoms of hallucinations that indicate treachery and betrayal by loved ones. In this type, other symptoms of disorganised speech and plain emotions are less common. On the contrary, as mentioned by Greene et al. (2018), when the patient seems to have more occurrences of disorganised speech, the patient is said to be suffering from the disorganised type of schizophrenia.
In certain cases, the patient shows predominantly abnormal behaviour, termed as catatonic type of schizophrenia. According to Gray, Plath and Webb (2009), when a patient suffers from a conglomerate of symptoms ranging from delusions, strained thought processes, amnesia, mental disorientation, hallucinations, anger, apathy, hearing voices, paranoia, fear as well as memory loss, the type would be the undifferentiated type. It would also be essential for the concerned mental health professional to observe the individual for tendencies of violent behaviour as well as self-harm and suicidal propensities.
Taking all these symptoms into consideration, the mental health professional or doctor must attempt to tally the symptoms with the criteria postulated by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) and effectively diagnose the exact subtype of schizophrenia the individual is suffering from (MHFA, 2012). It is of high importance to be able to identify the patient’s issues correctly so that proper interventions could be undertaken.
2. Prevailing Issues in Right-based Practice related to Diagnosis
The World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Mental Health Action Plan33, postulated by the World Health Assembly in 2013 includes plans and strategies that would help mentally ill patients recover by providing them proper access to treatment. As mentioned by Su, Ng, Yang and Lin (2014), in most cases, it is commonly observed that the patients of mental disorder are subject to embarrassment and social pressure. This results in the individuals feeling ashamed of their situation and they choose to let it go unnoticed rather than addressing it. The most important right to be given to mental disorder patients would be the right to social respect as individuals.
Despite their sickness, as contradicted by Dearden and Mulgrew (2013), it should always be kept in mind by the health professionals that even the mentally ill are valued individuals. They also deserve attention, respect and empathy. The main aim should entail accessible provision for proper rights-based diagnosis and subsequent cure to the patients without the chances of impoverishment in the process. The mental health providers should be professional enough and avoid all cases of possible discrimination.
It has been a common practise that individuals suffering from Schizophrenia are not provided enough employment opportunities. Though it may be logical on the behalf of the employers, the schizophrenic patients face violation of fundamental rights. Besides this, as stated by Rezansoff et al. (2016), the social stigma around these individuals and the belief that they may be violent and harm people in their surroundings, they are not only isolated but also face housing problems.
Even in the healthcare sector, as noted by Gilhooley et al. (2017), greater attention must be paid to the patients. These patients are generally not considered for involuntary admissions. The inpatient treatment, however, is crucial in certain stages of the disease. These disorders cause the patients to be very whimsical and their behaviours become unpredictable. There have been instances wherein patients found to be suitable for outpatient therapy committed suicide after being discharged. Hence, proper weightage must be assigned to in-patient therapy and its easy accessibility must be ensured.
According to Paul (2018), their main aim would be to assist the patients gain the highest state of well-being. The WHO promotes both evidence-based global actions as well as user-based actions, wherein the...