Mental Illness: The Cause Of Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a disorder that is characterized by a broken thought process and poor emotional responses. Typical symptoms of this disorder include delusions, paranoia, hallucinations, social dysfunctions,

Usually with schizophrenia, the person 's inner world and behavior change notably. Changes might include the following:

Mental disorders such as schizophrenia are feared because they are so misunderstood. Illness such as theses also have a negative stigma associated with them. People believe the disease is in the patients head or there are no treatments for how someone thinks. However, in the case of schizophrenia, many researchers would disagree. Researchers argue that schizophrenia is a brain disorder with brain abnormalities, neurotransmitter differences, and genetic influences. In fact, strong evidence shows schizophrenia develops in the womb.

While some may understand the concept of not having control over a specific disorder, fewer are able to imagine living with a disorder in which an altered perception of reality is created. “Schizophrenia is, in fact, a class of disorders that causes a distortion of reality to occur to its patients and effects the lives of many individuals to this day (Feldman, 2013). While this may fall into the large mix of other mental disorders, it is truly unlike any other because of the creation of an altered reality. Being the complex disorder that schizophrenia is, it is faced with having much controversy, including gender, and creating the necessary treatments used on its patients to help overcome such a mental disorder.

Schizophrenia is a mental illness that interferes with a person’s ability to think clearly, manage emotions, decision making, and relate to others. It’s a long-term medical illness affecting 1% of Americans. The causes of schizophrenia include genetics, environment, brain chemistry, and substance abuse. Schizophrenia occurs roughly in 10%of people who have a first-degree relative with the disorder such as a parent or sibling. ("NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness | What is Schizophrenia?," n.d.) “Problems with certain brain chemicals, including neurotransmitters called dopamine and glutamate, may contribute to schizophrenia”.

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the primary cause of schizophrenia, its history, origin, symptoms, and treatment. The paper will look at the validity of various treatments used and the successful utilization of cognitive therapy. We will express how successful diagnosis and treatment will only be effective by considering both the roles that biological and environmental factors play in diagnosing schizophrenia, and its effective therapies.

Schizophrenia is often depicted in film and media, and because the media has a powerful impact on people, individuals must be careful not to base their views solely on what they see and hear in movies because information may be misrepresented for entertainment purposes. In the films The Soloist and A Beautiful Mind, schizophrenic disorders are illustrated through the protagonists. When comparing these films with scholarly sources, it is apparent that the films appropriately represent the clinical descriptions and symptoms of a schizophrenic disorder; however, the treatments for these disorders are misrepresented.

Schizophrenia is the disorder that most closely corresponds to popular concepts of insanity, madness, or lunacy (Nevid, 2006). Nevid (2006) also states that schizophrenia comes from Greek roots meaning “split brain”. There are quite a few people in the United States that have schizophrenia. According to the National Institute of Mental Health approximately 2.4 million American adults or about 1.1 percent of the population age eighteen and older in a given year have schizophrenia (2013). Schizophrenia is found in men more than women. Men also tend to develop the disorder earlier than women and experience more severe cases of the disorder (Nevid, 2006). When being diagnosed with schizophrenia there are phases the doctor will test. These stages are prodromal, active or acute, remission, and relapse (Frese, 2012).

Schizophreniais one of the most commonly known psychological disorders found in humans. It is commonly mistaken for “multiple personality” or “split personality” due to the Greek origin of its name skhizein and phren, meaning “to split” and “mind” respectively. However, the more common symptoms of schizophrenia are hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thought. This paper will discuss the causes, symptoms, and treatments of schizophrenia.

Schizophrenia is classified as a severe disorder of thought and emotion associated with a loss of contact with reality. Individuals with schizophrenia can have difficulties with attention, thinking, language, emotion, and relationships. For a while, researchers have been wondering what causes schizophrenia and if the cause has more to do with psychological issues or genetics.

Schizophrenia is a mental disorder or illness that was first identified as an isolated behavior of madness without proper care. This medical illness has been around since 1751 when individuals were classified as “the most dangerous and disruptive lunatics” (Roccatagliata, 1986, pp.50-54). No one factor appears to be most significant in the origin of schizophrenia. It was not until nearly a century later when several physicians practiced productive research and therapy to show that this disorder can be treated and controlled so these individuals can live normal and productive lives (Heinrichs, 2001, pp.15-18).

Schizophrenia is a very serious, long-term disorder that affects about 1% of the world’s population. It affects people anywhere from twenty years old, to forty-five years old. It is known to be one of the most disabling diseases in this age group. Schizophrenia can break down a person’s behaviors, emotions, and thoughts. People who suffer from schizophrenia usually show very inappropriate displays of their actions and feelings. Sufferers have been known to hear voices, even when there is nobody around them. They have problems controlling their thoughts, and sometimes blurt out things that are very inappropriate. This paper will outline the biological, social, and psychological

(Kalat, 2012). Bleuler used the term as a means of representing a major psychotic illness

Schizophrenia is a brain illness which causes abnormal and disordered thinking, feelings and acting. A schizophrenic person may also experience delusions, and hallucinations. A schizophrenic patient may have difficulties distinguishing between what is real and what is imaginary. Scientist has unclear answer to what causes schizophrenia.Yet some have different theories about the cause of the mental disorder such as: genetics (heredity), biology and/or possible viral infections and immune disorders.

In some people's cases, Schizophrenia appears suddenly and without warning. But for most it comes slowly, with subtle warning signs and a gradual decline in functioning long before the first severe episode. “In the early phases of Schizophrenia people often seem eccentric, unmotivated, emotionless, and reclusive (Helpguide.org).” They may isolate themselves and not want to participate in daily activities such as playing with their children, going outside, or getting off the couch. They abandon their hobbies and they do not do well in their jobs. “The most common early warning signs of Schizophrenia include: social withdrawal, hostility or suspiciousness, deterioration of personal hygiene, having a flat and expressionless gaze, the inability to cry or express joy, inappropriate laughter or crying, depression, oversleeping or insomnia, odd or irrational statements, forgetfulness or the inability to concentrate, extreme reaction to criticism, and or strange use of words or way of speaking (Helpguide.org).” There are five types of symptoms of Schizophrenia. Positive is a symptom that involves having hallucinations or delusions. Negative is when one shows no emotion or flat behavior. Avolation is when a person shows little interest in whatever they are doing. Cognitive behavior is when you have disorganized speech or memory loss. Catatonic behavior is considered poor functioning such as your voluntary muscles