Schizophrenia

This 1 day course has been designed for staff who work with people who have a diagnosis of Schizophrenia. It initially focuses on the medical model, including the signs and symptoms and treatments available; the side effects of medication are identified.

The contemporary issue of the relationship between Schizophrenia and substance use will be examined. It then develops these themes and via role play and case study explores how staff can support this service user group in a Person Centred and holistic way; for example, attention is paid to communication skills necessary for staff and to possible practical solutions to difficult situations.

Learning objectives:

By the end of this course learners should understand:

• What is meant by the term Schizophrenia
• Some of the misunderstandings that exist e.g.
        -confusion with Multiple Personality
        -confusion with Schizoid Personality
        -confusion with Anti-Social Personality Disorder
• Who decides that someone has it
• The possible causes-different views e.g. the Anti-Psychiatry movement
• The signs and symptoms as outlined in the DSM
• Some of the diagnostic terms used by Psychiatrists
• Why it is important for us to be familiar with Psychiatric terminology
• The different types of Schizophrenia e.g.
        -Paranoid
        -Hebephrenic
        -Simple etc
• The difference between Acute and Chronic Schizophrenia
• The medication currently available to someone with Schizophrenia
• The effects and side-effects of the medication
• How ‘depot’ injections work
• The other ‘treatment’ options available
• Dual diagnosis (Schizophrenia and substance use)
• The communication skills workers need in order to support service users
• How to respond to expressed Delusions
• The complexity of ‘reality checking’ someone who experiences Hallucinations and/or Delusions
• The cues that workers can take from people with Schizophrenia
• The appropriateness of counselling or psychotherapy for someone with Schizophrenia
• The social stigma that still exists
• The user-led support and advocacy groups available

Training methods:

• Tutor presentations
• OHP/PowerPoint
• Small group work
• Word/idea storming
• Plenary discussion
• Flip chart work
• Individual exercises
• Pairs work
• Handouts

CP15/5.9