Posted: May 1st, 2025

presentation

Develop a psychopharmacology treatment plan PowerPoint presentation based on a patient from clinical.

Case study

• NG 41 y/o female. Here to follow up. The Patient denies new onset of hallucinations and delusions or expressing beliefs that they are being watched and followed. The patient still exhibits disorganized thinking and speech patterns. DX Schizophrenia. Tx.  Risperidone 2 mg BID. f/u as needed.

Psychopharmacology Treatment Plan
for Schizoaffective Disorder
17-year-old female patient
Group Name
Diagnosis and Symptoms
• Schizoaffective disorder is a mental health condition characterized by a combination of
symptoms from mood disorders to schizophrenia.
• These symptoms include:
o depression
o mania
o hypomania
o hallucinations
Prevalence and Risk Factors
Prevalence:
• 30% of cases occur between the ages of 25 and 35, and it occurs more frequently in women
• lifetime prevalence appears to be around 0.3%
Risk Factors:
• Stressful events that may cause symptoms.
• Taking mind-altering drug
• Having a close blood relative, with schizoaffective disorder, schizophrenia or bipolar
disorder.
• Those who are assigned female at birth.
Patient Presentation
17-year-old female
History of depression (diagnosed 3 years ago)
Recent onset of auditory hallucinations (2 months)
Voices are disturbing and commanding
Friends noticed strange behavior
Neurobiology of Schizoaffective disorder
Dysregulation of dopamine and serotonin systems
Potential glutamate involvement
Structural and functional brain abnormalities in prefrontal cortex
and temporal lobes
Treatment Plan
Pharmacotherapy:
• Antipsychotics
• Mood stabilizers
• Antidepressants
like selective-serotonin
reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
Psychotherapy:
• Cognitive Behavioral
Therapy (CBT)
• Family-focused/ Group
therapy
• ECT (Electroconvulsive
Therapy)
Treatment Plan Cont’d
Patient Education
• Explain the nature of schizoaffective disorder
• Importance of medication adherence
• Recognizing early warning signs of relapse
• Stress management techniques
• Importance of maintaining a structured routine
Side Effects
• Weight gain
• Metabolic changes
• Drowsiness
• Dry mouth
Role of the PMHNP
• Comprehensive assessment and diagnosis
• Medication management and monitoring
• Providing psychoeducation to patient and family
• Coordinating care with other healthcare providers
• Regular follow-up and treatment adjustment as needed
References
• Joshua, T., & Saadabadi, A. (2023, March 27). Schizoaffective Disorder. Nih.gov; StatPearls Publishing.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK541012/
• Cleveland Clinic. (2023). Schizoaffective Disorder: Schizophrenia, Mood Disorder, Treatment. Cleveland
Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21544-schizoaffective-disorder#symptoms-and-causes
• Mayo Clinic. (2019, November 9). Schizoaffective disorder – Symptoms and causes. Mayo Clinic.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/schizoaffective-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20354504
• Spranger Forte, A., Bento, A., & Gama Marques, J. (2022). Schizoaffective disorder in homeless patients: A
systematic review. The International Journal of Social Psychiatry, 69(2), 207640221131247.
https://doi.org/10.1177/00207640221131247
Slide 2: Diagnosis Definition and Symptoms
Schizoaffective disorder is a mental health condition characterized by a combination of
symptoms from mood disorders to schizophrenia. These symptoms include: depression mania,
hypomania, hallucinations. Our patient exhibits classic symptoms of this disorder, including
auditory hallucinations – hearing voices that aren’t ther. She also has a history of depression,
representing the mood disorder component.
Slide 3: Prevalence and Risk Factors
The lifetime prevalence of schizoaffective disorder appears to be approximately 0.3%, and it
occurs roughly one-third as frequently as schizophrenia. Factors that raise the risk of developing
schizoaffective disorder include:
•
Having a close blood relative, such as a parent or sibling, who has schizoaffective
disorder, schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.
•
Stressful events that may cause symptoms.
•
Taking mind-altering drugs, which may make symptoms worse when an underlying
problem is present.
Slide 4: Patient Presentation
Our patient is a 17-year-old female with a complex clinical picture. She was diagnosed with
depression three years ago, at age 14. Recently, she developed auditory hallucinations, hearing
voices that are both disturbing and commanding in nature. This new symptom has been present
for about two months. Importantly, it was her friends who first noticed changes in her behavior,
highlighting the often-observable nature of these symptoms and the importance of social support
in early detection.
Slide 5: Neurobiology of Schizoaffective disorder
The neurobiology of Schizoaffective Disorder is complex. We see dysregulation in dopamine
and serotonin systems, which are implicated in both psychotic and mood symptoms. There’s
growing evidence of glutamate involvement as well. Neuroimaging studies have shown
structural and functional abnormalities in the prefrontal cortex and temporal lobes in affected
individuals. These neurobiological factors inform our treatment approach, particularly in
medication selection.
Slide 6: Treatment Plan
We propose a comprehensive treatment plan consisting of pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy.
Pharmacotherapy is the cornerstone, with antipsychotic medication like Olanzapine being key for
managing psychotic symptoms. She may also need to add a mood stabilizer or antidepressant to
address the mood component.
Psychotherapy, particularly Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, is crucial for managing symptoms
and improving coping skills. Family/group-focused therapy is important since it aids in
compliance with medications and appointments and helps provide structure throughout the
patient’s life
Slide 7: Treatment Plan Cont’d
In order to ensure long-term care, patient education is essential. We will emphasise that
Schizoaffective Disorder is a treatable disorder and will describe it in language that the patient
and her family can comprehend. We’ll emphasise the value of medication compliance and assist
them in identifying the early warning indicators of relapse. Encouraging stress management
skills and emphasising the value of a set schedule will help to maintain consistency throughout
time. The patient and family are given the tools they need to take an active role in their care.
Olanzapine as a drug may have adverse effects such as weight gain, changes in metabolism,
tiredness, and dry mouth. We’ll keep a careful eye on these and modify the course of treatment as
needed. The aim is to strike a balance between quality of life concerns and symptom control.
Slide 8: Role of the PMHNP
As Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioners, our role is comprehensive. We manage
medicines, carry out comprehensive exams for precise diagnosis, and offer continuous
monitoring. A crucial duty is providing the patient and family with psychoeducation. To
guarantee comprehensive care, we also collaborate with other medical professionals to
coordinate care. As the patient’s demands change, regular follow-ups enable us to modify the
treatment plan and guarantee the best possible care throughout the duration of the patient’s trip.