Each individual is different, and some may have factors that may make them a higher risk potential for developing schizophrenia. According to Getzfeld (2018), some factors that increase the incidence of developing schizophrenia is if a family member has schizophrenia if there was an infection contracted by the mother while pregnant, stressful life events, socioeconomic situations, and brain chemistry. Those that are at risk of developing schizophrenia can show decreases in cognition before developing schizophrenia. According to Getzfeld (2018), the symptoms that begin to exhibit are considered negative symptoms. If an individual were recognized to be at risk for schizophrenia and given an antipsychotic to prevent psychotic symptoms before they start, it would have advantages and disadvantages. According to Chien and Yip (2013), administering antipsychotic medications in the early phases of schizophrenia can help decrease the positive symptoms, which are delusions, hallucinations, and disordered speech. Since one may know that a client has factors that make them vulnerable, putting them on antipsychotics before a full diagnosis is made could help head off the positive symptoms. A disadvantage to this proactive approach is that antipsychotic medications are not effective in treating negative symptoms and can actually make them worse (Chien &
Each individual is different, and some may have factors that may make them a higher risk potential for developing schizophrenia. According to Getzfeld (2018), some factors that increase the incidence of developing schizophrenia is if a family member has schizophrenia if there was an infection contracted by the mother while pregnant, stressful life events, socioeconomic situations, and brain chemistry. Those that are at risk of developing schizophrenia can show decreases in cognition before developing schizophrenia. According to Getzfeld (2018), the symptoms that begin to exhibit are considered negative symptoms. If an individual were recognized to be at risk for schizophrenia and given an antipsychotic to prevent psychotic symptoms before they start, it would have advantages and disadvantages. According to Chien and Yip (2013), administering antipsychotic medications in the early phases of schizophrenia can help decrease the positive symptoms, which are delusions, hallucinations, and disordered speech. Since one may know that a client has factors that make them vulnerable, putting them on antipsychotics before a full diagnosis is made could help head off the positive symptoms. A disadvantage to this proactive approach is that antipsychotic medications are not effective in treating negative symptoms and can actually make them worse (Chien &
