Holistic Solutions to Schizophrenia Management in Geriatric Populations

Abstract

Schizophrenia is a psychiatric condition characterized by dysfunction in thoughts, behavior, and emotions. The illness is typically diagnosed in late adolescence to early adulthood, and generally lasts throughout a patient’s lifetime. This debilitating condition affects approximately 25% of adults aged 55 years old and older. With numbers of elderly adults afflicted by psychiatric illnesses increasing in the future, special precautions need to be taken to address this underserved population. This increase in schizophrenia frequency among elderly populations also has repercussions not just for future healthcare, but health costs as well, with schizophrenia expenses being costly in comparison to other psychiatric ailments. A major theory explaining the genetic and physiological basis of schizophrenia is the dopamine hypothesis, which describes a disruption in the normal transmission of the dopaminergic pathway as well as the mesolimbic system. Current treatments of schizophrenia often involve pharmacological interventions that create heightened side effects in the elderly. There is a need for more research into efficient and effective treatments for the future, especially treatments that can be safe for elderly use such as brain stimulating interventions. Destigmatizing mental health issues and advocating for safer and more efficient therapies are the key to improving outcomes of geriatric schizophrenic patients