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Analytical Essay Bipolar Disorder

Anylytical essay on SCHIZOPHRENIA
Contents                                                       Page

Abstract                                                       2
                                     
Introduction                                                 3                                              

Impact on Family                                         4

Medication Adherence/ Non Adherence         6

Prevention through Risk Identification           7                                              

Conclusion                                                   10

References                                                   11

Abstract
Schizophrenia is a psychotic mental disorder that is defined by Alanen "as a serious mental illness that usually becomes manifest in adolescence or early adulthood" (Alanen, 1997). Spearing furthers this definition to note that schizophrenia is a socially, financially and emotionally crippling disorder for not only the patient, but also the family unit (Spearing 2002). McGorry notes that in 2002 the economic cost of schizophrenia for Australia alone was $85 billion (McGorry, 2003). This cost can only be expected to grow, as in 2001, 17,731 patients were hospitalized nation wide for schizophrenic related problems, an increase in hospitalizations when compared with numbers from 2000 (AIHW Hospital Morbidity Database 2001-2002, 2004).

            In Westernized countries such as Australia and North America, a period of approximately twelve months lapses between the manifestation of early symptoms of schizophrenia and the first course of treatment (Martinex and Garcia, 2002). Martinex and Garcia's research further indicates that such a lengthy time lapses is often detrimental to a patient's long term health and well being. Martinex and Garcia conclude that if the first psychosis is not treated immediately then relapse is far more likely and frequent (Martinex and Garcia, 2002). Much of the information...