In this paper, I have evaluated five different
internet sources (websites) that contain information on schizophrenia. All
these sources are unique and present the information in a different manner and
style. The first and the third website are very much similar in their approach,
yet effective. I happened to like the fourth website (Schizophrenia Society of
Canada) that is as simple as it can be and outlines many aspects of the illness
which are not covered in the other four websites. I would highly recommend this
website over others. I would not recommend the last (fifth) website as it does
not cover the great depth of the topic even though it comes with a unique way
of presentation.
Evaluation 1
Mayo Clinic’s website uses an easy and
simple-to-understand language and the approach to defining schizophrenia. The
webpage clearly lays out the different categories under which useful
information is given on the risk factors associated with this psychotic
disorder. It educates the parents on how to identify this disease in their
children with certain symptoms such as hallucination, delusion and disordered
speech. The prevention measures are outlined to treat this disorder and if the
situation is not taken care of properly and on time, it can worsen over time
and can endanger a child’s life.
There are various types of treatments that can be
used based on worse the condition is. These types include hospitalization,
psychotherapy, life skill training, and medications. It warns the parents and
guardians of the children about the suicidal thoughts found in the youngsters
suffering from schizophrenia. And if it is left untreated it can lead to many
complications such as self-injury, depression, family conflicts, aggressive
behavior, and social isolation are just some of many other complications
mentioned on the website.
The website suggests the situations in which a
doctor must be consulted. Some of the many situations include a strange eating
ritual, social isolation, a steep decline in academic performance, having
strange dreams and ideas, violent behavior and agitation and expression of
extreme suspicion of others.
I would highly recommend this website to the people
who are looking not only to establish what schizophrenia is but also what
symptoms provide a clear indication of the presence of mental illness in your
young ones. It covers a wide array of treatments and suggests the situations in
which a doctor must be consulted.
The website’s
in-depth detail and coverage of all important points related to schizophrenia
and ‘Get an Appointment’ button frequently appearing on the pages are its great
strengths, but it does not go in further detail on any of these treatments
which kind of forces the user to jump to another source of information for that
area.
The website could have used some images to enhance
the user experience as images establish a much clearer understanding than only
plain words.
Evaluation 2
This internet source has some useful information on
the available treatments for the people who have schizophrenia. It does not
take the approach to define what this disease actually is about, and no general
information on the symptoms and causes is outlined here as its primary focus is
on those suggested treatments as a whole.
The treatments which are mentioned on the webpage
are individual therapy, group therapy, family therapy, vocational
rehabilitation, and assertive community treatments. All these treatments are
clearly described under their respective sections.
A very simple language is used to inform the reader
about certain aspects of these treatments on schizophrenia, and no medical
jargon is used to leave the reader confused. The website informs the reader
about how each treatment plan is selected based on the psychological,
biological and social aspects associated with that person and his illness.
The individual therapy focuses on the one-to-one
experience in which a patient can talk about the challenges he has have faced
in his life that led to this disorder. Also, how he reacts in a certain
situation and to certain things while suffering from schizophrenia. The website
suggests individual therapy as being the most effective treatments amongst all
therapy-related sessions.
The group and family therapies are not greatly
different from each other as both treatments take place in a group setting to
discuss the matters related to schizophrenia. People can talk about anything
and can a direct response from other participants to make use of their
experience.
The website goes on to describe the vocational
rehabilitation in which social workers help people having schizophrenia during
their educational career. Because due to this illness they can miss out a
number of years before they are deemed fit to return to their normal life. This
rehabilitation ensures that patients stay actively involved in their education
and other aspects of their life at the same time.
This website benefits from the expert knowledge on
the aspect of schizophrenia-related treatments but in a straightforward
fashion, unlike many websites that present the information in a very
complicated manner. Because of this strength, I would like to recommend this
website to those exploring different therapy plans.
Since the website does not cover the general
information on schizophrenia and specifically deals with treatments this is
kind of a weakness of it which can be improved on.
Evaluation 3
The website of the Canadian Mental Health
Association is very close to the content outlined on the Mayo Clinic website.
It has the general and very useful information on schizophrenia, which develops
in early adulthood and teenage.
This website outlines the symptoms, or diagnostic
signs, of the illness such as a change in sleeping and eating patterns, lack of
energy and motivation to do things and to participate in daily activities, lack
of interest in personal care and display of unusual and inappropriate behavior.
It informs the readers that if this disease is left untreated due to any
reason, it can have long-lasting effects on its patient. Such effects can
include having confused or weird thoughts, feeling like their thinking has sped
up or slowed down, hearing voices in their heads, see things that only they can
see, believing that their thoughts or actions are being controlled by others
and also have this constant fear that they are being followed.
As aforementioned, the information on the webpage is
very easy to understand, and it also has some useful helpline numbers to book
an appointment which is its strength. The shortcoming associated with this
internet source is that it does not educate the reader about the possible and
available treatments of schizophrenia which could have been very useful. The
addition of such information can enhance the content quality of this website.
Evaluation 4
The website of the Schizophrenia Society of Canada
has very extensive information on the schizophrenia. The aim of this website is
not only to inform but to educate the people also about all the aspects
associated with schizophrenia.
It takes a very detailed approach to define
schizophrenia and other involved factors. What indicators can be used to
diagnose the disease, what factors can cause this condition to develop in the
people, what symptoms are likely to be noticed are some of the questions this
website tries to answer in a very user-friendly way.
Amongst the remedies of schizophrenia, the website
suggests active involvement of the medics to devise a care plan which is
tailored to the specific needs of a person who has schizophrenia. One care plan
cannot be generalized and used for everyone.
The website further outlines the treatments for
schizophrenia such as medication, medical care, and wellness plans and
psychological rehabilitation. It also goes on to describe the cognitive aspects
and social aspects (culture, socializing and bias, employment, families and
other social factors) of the illness.
This website is pervasive and describes everything
about the schizophrenia in a very orderly fashion it is also very easy to use
with simple and clear layout design. Due to this positive experience, my recommendation
for this website is really high.
The weakness of this website is also its very
detailed approach which requires a lot of time from the reader to get the gist
out of this. The detail is good when people have enough time to go through
this, but for those who want to develop understanding quickly, this website is
not for those individuals.
Evaluation 5
The website takes an effortless and concise approach
to go through some of the concepts related to schizophrenia. It uniquely
describes the causes, treatments, and symptoms of schizophrenia. In a few
words, under every heading, it tries to establish an understanding of what you
need to learn as a reader.
This is the only website out of the five that
mentions some of many misconceptions related to this illness which include that
there is no hope of recovering, dysfunctional families cause schizophrenia, the
disease is same as split personalities, and schizophrenic people are violent.
The website supports its argument for these misconceptions with four easily
digestible facts.
The website does not explicitly mention any
treatment or medication to cure schizophrenia, but it outlines doctor,
therapist, internet, fact sheets, family members and friends as a source to
support the patients in this health condition.
The website is very concise and briefly touches some
key points and does not go deeper into details. It is a quick way to gain some
knowledge and understanding about schizophrenia which is the website’s strength
that it saves you lots of time. The homepage of this website displays a very
thought-provoking and disturbed image of a youngster which adds to its user
experience. Being so brief about the topic is also its weakness; I think that
this can be improved by adding some more points into the content.
