Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia


WHAT IS SCHIZOPHRENIA? What does the term schizophrenia mean? In its
most elementary sense, we might say that schizophrenia is a disease,   invented
by Eugene Bleeder. Eugene Bleeder was one of the most influential psychiatrists
of his time. He is best known today for his introduction of the term
schizophrenia, previously known as dementia praecox. In actuality, schizophrenia
is often used generically and inappropriately as it is often applied to almost
any kind of unusual behavior of which the speaker disapproves. Schizophrenia is
almost universally viewed as the "classic example of madness" . It is a
startling and sometimes frightening experience to unexpectedly come across a
person who proclaims himself Jesus Christ, rants gibberish, or sits with his
body unmoving as if frozen in time and place. For some people, such an
experience is too shocking, too fearsome, too repulsive. They hurry away, trying
to dismiss the image of the deranged individual from their minds.
        No other illness is as disabling and baffling as schizophrenia. Today,
in spite of the drugs that have allowed many schizophrenics to live at home or
in the community, a significant number of people admitted to mental hospitals
are victims of the disease. According to the Encyclopedia Of Health,
schizophrenics account for nearly 40% of admissions to state mental hospitals,
30% of psychiatric admissions to Veterans Administration hospitals, and about
20% of admissions to private psychiatric hospitals. Schizophrenia is incurable.
Its cause or causes are yet unknown, and it is impossible to predict what course
the disease will take. There are many theories about the causes of schizophrenia,
its progression, and its eventual outcome. They are currently being explored by
researchers around the world.
Schizophrenia's most dramatic symptoms are severe and perpetual
delusions and hallucinations. A delusion is a false belief or idea that logic
and reason show to be "crazy". A... [continues]

Read full essay