The Importance of Family and Friends in Helping People with Schizophrenia Maintain a Normal Life
Schizophrenia, an often-misunderstood disease, is usually interpreted by those not familiar with it as a Multiple Personality
Disorder. But this is not true. While a person who is afflicted with schizophrenia, may also suffer from multiple personality disorder, it is not the rule of thumb. Unfortunately, due to the lack of support from family or friends, many schizophrenics go without proper treatment and may wind up homeless.
There is nothing that can be measured to diagnose schizophrenia. Other diseases share many of its symptoms. What schizophrenia is or is not, cannot be decided on. However, German psychiatrist, Kurt
…show more content…
It is however accompanied by an overwhelming loss of interest and initiative. "The sufferer of simple schizophrenia will also usually suffer from withdrawal and will blunt their emotions" (Torrey, 1983).
The part of the brain is thought to be affected by schizophrenia is the limbic system. It was realized that the limbic system might be the source of the malfunction when it was discovered that all the information and incoming stimuli must pass through the limbic system before being sorted out. Previously thee limbic system was disregarded, and considered simply a remnant of our primitive past." At that time the outer areas, the gray matter of the brain, was studied"(Torrey, 1983).
Occasionally schizophrenia runs in the family, although it is not well understood how. "It is known that close relatives (parents, siblings) of those with schizophrenia, have a 10 % chance of developing symptoms, compared to the 1% chance of the general population" (Torrey, 1983). Not much is known about what exactly causes schizophrenia, or which parts of the brain are affected. One guess to the cause of schizophrenia is that neurotransmitter dopamine is involved. "Some of the supporting evidence behind this theory is the fact that amphetamines, when given in large doses, causes the brain's dopamine levels to rise, this can cause the subject to show schizophrenia like symptoms" (Torrey, 1983). There are three different fields of thought
Schizophrenia is a brain disorder that affects the way a person acts, thinks, and sees the world. People with schizophrenia have a completely different perception of reality, such as a significant loss of contact with it for example, compared to people who do not suffer from this mental disease. They tend to panic a lot, feel like someone is trying to harm them or their loved ones, fear that someone is watching every move they make. Although they hallucinate a lot and/or are delusional, most people with schizophrenia are not violent and are not a danger to others. (Helpguide.org, 2015)
Schizophrenia is a psychotic disorder that affects a person’s thinking, language, emotions, social behavior and perception (Herzog & Varcarolis, 2014). The diagnosis involves identifying a range of signs and symptoms that leads to impaired occupational or social functioning (American Psychiatry Association [APA], 2014).
Now with a little knowledge about this disease I would like to tell you about how this illness can affect a family that is exposed to it. Schizophrenia disturbs
Stress that is caused by a traumatic event or family situations may be a trigger, which can cause this disorder to surface in those who possess a genetic predisposition. Another trigger that may play a major part is an imbalance of dopamine and serotonin, which are located in the brain. The behavioral patterns that are associated with schizophrenia are thought to result from an over activity of dopamine within certain areas of the brain. The areas of the brain that are affected by this disorder are the forebrain, hindbrain, and limbic system (The Lundbeck Institute, 2002-2005).
Schizophrenia is a complex and puzzling illness. Even the experts in the field are not exactly sure what causes it. Some doctors think that the brain may not
Schizophrenia is a chronic brain disorder that affects more than one percent of the population. When schizophrenia is active, symptoms can include delusions, hallucinations, trouble with thinking and concentration, and lack of motivation. However, when these symptoms are treated properly, a large portion of those diagnosed will greatly improve over time.
Schizophrenia derives from the Greek words “split” and “mind”. Despite its name, it does not mean what it seems. When people hear the two words “split” and “mind’ they may automatically think of a multiple personality disorder, but that is different from schizophrenia (Barlow & Durand, 2015). Schizophrenia is actually a brain disorder in which reality is not interpreted correctly. Many people with schizophrenia hear voices, believe they are being stalked or watched by others, and do not always make sense when conversing. It has been discovered that those who suffer from schizophrenia, have dysfunctional neurotransmitters within their brain. This affects the message system in their brain (Nordqvist, 2015). Schizophrenia also affects the emotions of a person. Many times people with this disorder may seem withdrawn, or socially inept. It is hard for families, coworkers, and friends to keep a good relationship. There is even evidence showing how families’ actions and emotions
To diagnose schizophrenia there are no medical tests to prove one has schizophrenia. But a psychiatrist or shrink will be able to assess a patient to make a complete diagnosis. The diagnosis is made up with different tests for one the discussion from the psychiatrist. The psychiatrist basically asks questions to the patient to get a better understanding of whether the patient is mentally sane. Here are some questions the psychiatrist will ask one-- how long has one had the symptoms, tell me a little about one's family history and genetics, is one on any medication and if so what medications are working for one. The second test would be a blood test to check if one is presumed normal. The third test would be a brain scan to further question if one has schizophrenia. (“Schizophrenia”)
Biological theorists believe that individuals may have a genetic predisposition for the schizophrenia if a close family member has been diagnosed with the disorder. Stress during adolescent years seems to provoke the disorder among individuals who have a family history of the disorder. In addition, this theory suggests biochemical abnormalities related to the dopamine neurotransmitters may also contribute to the illness as the brains neurotransmission of the dopamine is too frequent in occurrence (Comer, 2005). CAT and MRI scans have also indicated that abnormal brain structuring may also play a role in the development of schizophrenia due to a common occurrence of enlarged ventricles within schizophrenia sufferers (Comer, 2005). Various parts of the brain may not develop for function properly which seems lead to Type II schizophrenia. Studies have also pointed towards the idea that exposure to certain viruses before birth may lead to the eventual development of schizophrenia (Comer, 2005).
Schizophrenia is a mental disorder that Encarta (2001) describes as an illness that results in delusional thought patterns, hallucinations, and inappropriate effect. It literally means “split-mind’, but is not a multiple personality disorder. According to DSM-IV (1996) schizophrenia is categorized under the diagnostic code, ICD-9-CM or International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification of 295.xx. Symptoms of schizophrenia can be positive, which occur during the active phase, and negative, which are present before the onset of the disorder. Positive symptoms of the disease include delusions of grandeur (a belief that one is a famous admired individual), delusion of control (when they believe something wants to
(Szasz,1982, p.4, p.29) In 1900, the term schizophrenia, now used worldwide, was used to describe the condition that one out of every hundred people had. This statistic remains the same today. Through research and years of study, the world has a better understanding of schizophrenia, its forms, characteristics, symptoms, types, possible causes, and treatments, if any. ( Pierce, 1990. p.263 )
Treatment of schizophrenia may vary according to what clinicians believe to be its causes. For example, some believe (and this is backed by evidence) that the condition is caused by over activity of the dopamine system, so that the person experiences too much stimulation. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter, so that in effect too much activity is occurring in the brain. Clinicians who believe this is the case are likely to use drug therapies to correct this over activity, and will use antipsychotic drugs.
Schizophrenia is a Psychological disorder that impacts the person 's ability to process thoughts, emotions and action. Schizophrenia symptoms are categorized as cognitive, positive and negative symptoms. There has yet to be a confirmed singular cause of schizophrenia. The dopamine hypothesis is a theory that attributes the cause of schizophrenia to an increase in dopamine levels. The antipsychotic medication mentioned in this theory is beneficial in the treatment of the symptoms of schizophrenia. Although the medication that treats increased dopamine levels it does not affect other
Even with the advancements in science and the new technologies available, the causes of schizophrenia are still unknown. In 1911 a Swiss psychiatrist Eugen Bleuler, developed the term schizophrenia. “This word comes from the Greek roots schizo (split) and phrene (mind) to describe the fragmented thinking of people with the disorder” (Johns Hopkins Medicine). By developing the term schizophrenia, it allowed others to better understanding the disorder and move away from linking it to the common misunderstanding of having multiple or split personalities. Although this does not give us an understanding of the causes of the disorder, it does help to clarify and assist with classifying people with the symptoms associated with the
If the chemicals in the brain are having trouble going through the brain then that can cause a psychological disorder such as Schizophrenia. There is also evidence to suggest that the brain of people with Schizophrenia is different than those that have healthier brains. “Some studies also suggest that abnormalities in the temporal lobes, hippocampus, and amygdala are connected to schizophrenia’s positive symptoms (hallucinations or delusions) (Helpguide.org).” In my opinion, the environment one endures can be the biggest factor in the cause of schizophrenia. Child abuse, early traumatic events, severe stress, and negative life events can all have a very huge impact in the cause of Schizophrenia. What someone went through in their past can determine their future.