Compare and Contrast Two Mental Illnesses
Schizophrenia vs. Bipolar Disorder Page 1
Schizophrenia vs. Bipolar Disorder
Angela M. Powell
English Composition I
Kim Elliott-White
April 18, 2011
Schizophrenia vs. Bipolar Disorder Page 2
Brain disorders are commonly misunderstood due to the actions of the person living with the disorder. Education about brain disorders should decrease the misunderstanding of the disorders, and increase the support for those suffering with the disorder. A mental disorder or mental illness is a psychological or behavioral pattern generally associated with distress or disability that occurs in an individual and which is not part of normal development or culture. Some mental disorders are diagnosed based on the harm to others they cause, regardless of the subject’s perception of distress. I will discuss the likenesses and differences between two mental illnesses affecting the brain. Schizophrenia is a severe, chronic and disabling brain disorder that has affected people for some time. About 1 percent of Americans suffer from the illness. People with schizophrenia may hear voices other people don’t hear. They may even believe that other people are reading their minds, controlling their thoughts, or plotting to do harm to them at times. These beliefs can terrify them, make them feel withdrawn or extremely agitated. Due to the emotional instability of a person suffering from schizophrenia, they may encounter difficulties holding a job or even caring for themselves.
Schizophrenia vs. Bipolar disorder Page 3
Bipolar disorder, also known as manic depressive illness, is a chronic brain disorder like that of schizophrenia. Bipolar disorder causes unusual shifts in a person’s mood, energy, activity level and their ability to carry out day-to-day tasks.
Bipolar disorder normally affects people in their late
Schizophrenia vs. Bipolar Disorder
Angela M. Powell
English Composition I
Kim Elliott-White
April 18, 2011
Schizophrenia vs. Bipolar Disorder Page 2
Brain disorders are commonly misunderstood due to the actions of the person living with the disorder. Education about brain disorders should decrease the misunderstanding of the disorders, and increase the support for those suffering with the disorder. A mental disorder or mental illness is a psychological or behavioral pattern generally associated with distress or disability that occurs in an individual and which is not part of normal development or culture. Some mental disorders are diagnosed based on the harm to others they cause, regardless of the subject’s perception of distress. I will discuss the likenesses and differences between two mental illnesses affecting the brain. Schizophrenia is a severe, chronic and disabling brain disorder that has affected people for some time. About 1 percent of Americans suffer from the illness. People with schizophrenia may hear voices other people don’t hear. They may even believe that other people are reading their minds, controlling their thoughts, or plotting to do harm to them at times. These beliefs can terrify them, make them feel withdrawn or extremely agitated. Due to the emotional instability of a person suffering from schizophrenia, they may encounter difficulties holding a job or even caring for themselves.
Schizophrenia vs. Bipolar disorder Page 3
Bipolar disorder, also known as manic depressive illness, is a chronic brain disorder like that of schizophrenia. Bipolar disorder causes unusual shifts in a person’s mood, energy, activity level and their ability to carry out day-to-day tasks.
Bipolar disorder normally affects people in their late
Cited: PAGE Insel M.D., T. (2000) Re: Schizophrenia and Bipolar Depression Retrieved from http://www.nihm.nih.gov/health