Holistic Solutions to Schizophrenia Management in Geriatric Populations

Authors

  • Tatum R Dam University of Richmond, Richmond, VA, USA Author
  • Akshay Bhamidipati Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Vanderbilt, TN, USA Author
  • Shravika Lam Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Vanderbilt, TN, USA Author
  • Basil M Baccouche Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, USA Author
  • Ank Agarwal Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, USA Author
  • Karan Patel BS Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, Camden, NJ, USA Author
  • Medha Illindala University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA Author
  • Anjali Mangla Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA Author
  • Ria Soni Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA Author
  • Cassandra J Liew Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA Author
  • Bhupesh Mangla Yale New Haven Health, New Haven, CT, USA Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47363/JNRRR/2021(3)137

Keywords:

Geriatric Populations, Holistic Solutions, Schizophrenia, Management

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.

Author Biographies

  • Tatum R Dam, University of Richmond, Richmond, VA, USA

    University of Richmond, Richmond, VA, USA

  • Akshay Bhamidipati, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Vanderbilt, TN, USA

    Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Vanderbilt, TN, USA

  • Shravika Lam, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Vanderbilt, TN, USA

    Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Vanderbilt, TN, USA

  • Basil M Baccouche, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, USA

    Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, USA

  • Ank Agarwal, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, USA

    Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, USA

  • Karan Patel BS, Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, Camden, NJ, USA

    Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, Camden, NJ, USA

  • Medha Illindala, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA

    University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA

  • Anjali Mangla, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA

    Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA

  • Ria Soni, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA

    Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA

  • Cassandra J Liew, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA

    Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA

  • Bhupesh Mangla, Yale New Haven Health, New Haven, CT, USA

    Yale New Haven Health, New Haven, CT, USA

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Published

2021-05-29

Issue

Vol. 3 No. 2 (2021): Volume 3 Issue 2

Section

Articles