Schizophrenia Summary

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In the short video Schizophrenia Symptoms, we are introduced to Gerald S., a schizophrenic patient at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Washington D.C. Upon listing the type of medications the patient receives on the daily to the audience physically present, Gerald was escorted into the room while twirling his hair. Immediately Gerald is demonstrating a characteristic symptom of schizophrenia per the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria, having behaved in a way that would be considered inappropriate to social standards. As the interview proceed, there are clear indications of delusions being exhibited. When greeted by the doctor, Gerald voiced his concerns as it was his belief that he was called to be either judged, jailed, or killed. He claims that these feelings …show more content…
This included 32 mg of haloperidol and 4 mg of benztropine. Haloperidol is a conventional antipsychotic, a drug used primarily to help patients control their shattered mind and retain a clear view of reality. Haloperidol is also used for as a treatment for repetitive tics and disorganized thinking. However, haloperidol may cause several side effects including tremors and unusual/uncontrollable movements of any body part, which may explain Gerald’s hair twirling. It is important to note that the dosage of Haloperidol may be considered a high amount, as some areas typically used only 20 mg. This is ignoring the fact that Gerald is given this dosage in combination of taking benztropine. Benztropine, which brand name is Cogentin, is not antipsychotic drug and is usually used to treat Parkinson’s disease. Why would this medication be given to Gerald? It may be to combat the side effects of taking haloperidol. When patients take haloperidol, they may develop pseudoparkinsonism, symptoms such as tremors and slowed movement that are similar to Parkinson’s disease. Despite the purpose of the drug in this situation, benztropine is not without side effects of its own, which includes such symptoms like blurred vision and fatigue. As such, while Gerald is taking haloperidol to control his schizophrenia, he is also talking benztropine to control the effects haloperidol is inducing to his