Schizophrenia (pronounced /ˌskɪtsəˈfrɛnia/ or /ˌskɪtsəˈfriːniə/), from the Greek roots schizein (σχίζειν, “to split”) and phrēn, phren- (φρήν, φρεν-, “mind”) is a severe and disabling brain disorder characterized by abnormalities in the perception or expression of reality. It most commonly manifests as auditory hallucinations, paranoid or bizarre delusions, or disorganized speech and thinking with significant social or occupational dysfunction. Onset of symptoms typically occurs in young adulthood,^[4] with approximately 0.4–0.6% of the population affected. Diagnosis is based on the patient’s self-reported experiences and observed behavior. No laboratory test for schizophrenia currently exists.

Earlier this week, I handled a paranoid schizophrenic patient. Normally, mental patients aren’t confined at our hospital since we have no psych ward, but there she was, in one of our private rooms.

She’s only 14 years old. Since I became a registered nurse a year ago, it’s my first time really handling a mental patient  on my own. Sure, we had our duty as a student nurse in a mental hospital but the patients there were now behaved. This one wasn’t.

She was NOISY, and I mean it. Even if she took her maintenance medication. She kept on pacing around the room, stripped off the beddings, kept on peering at the bathroom window (it’s not really a window, it’s just a vent), and shouting and crying and laughing at the same time. She would stand under the shower or the faucet and drench herself with clothes on. She even

Her mom was with her, but I could sense that they were not close. She didn’t completely trust her mom. Or maybe she was just in her own world. But the ting was, even though we were really trying to be therapeutic, whenever the patient would be close to saying what’s in her mind, her mom would butt in and shoo us out of the room. We figure that her mom doesn’t want us knowing the real story what triggered her schizophrenia. She just said that it happened three years ago because her dad left them to work abroad. But we think it’s something deeper.

She (let’s call her Sarah) shows aversion towards the males. Whenever she sees a male, her eyebrows would scrunch up and she looks with such hate. She would say profanities and would kick and scream at them. Maybe she’s a rape victim? We don’t know. But we do know her mom’s version of the story, which includes her as being a very strict mom towards her.

It’s just sad, really, to see her like that. Makes me realize how important support systems are. If something traumatic happens in one’s life and you have no one to turn to, you could say that you’re “going crazy” with pain or missing someone or just with all that’s happening in your world.

But Sarah has transferred to another institution now, where she can be with other special children where her social needs can be met. I do hope she gets better.

There are times when I think about being a nurse and if I really am made to be one.

I’ve been a nurse for almost a year now, with just days to go. So far, I have adjusted to the hospital setting and does not really dread going to work everyday. I used to moan and groan (I still do, but not as much as before, lol) everytime I drag myself out of bed to get to work.

Some patients or their relatives would think that I’m just a student nurse, and it cracks me up. I guess it’s a compliment that I look young (I guess it’s because I’m petite).

So now, I’m starting this blog because this blog will be all about my life as a nurse.

Hospital stories, etc. Think Grey’s Anatomy, ER, House. It’s just that this time, it’s about the nurse and not the doctor. =p