Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia
A most rare and disturbing mental illness characterized as a disruption in cognition and emotion, which affects the way a person, analyzes him and society as a whole is known as schizophrenia. Many patients suffering from schizophrenia are emotionally disturbed, aggressive, and/or destructive to themselves, as well as others. In most cases schizophrenic disorders are severe conditions of disordered thoughts and communications, inappropriate emotions, and extremely bizarre behavior that lasts for months, years. (Branca, 454) Schizophrenia is often misinterpreted and distinguished as a split personality, yet observers classify it as a hallucination or insanity state of mind. Because of schizophrenia’s frightening symptoms, it has a debilitating effect on the lives of the people who suffer from it. Usually, patients have difficulty telling the difference between real and unreal experiences, logical and illogical thoughts, or appropriate and inappropriate behavior. It also impairs a person’s ability to function at work and play. Also, regular constant hospitalization is required for precautionary hazard to oneself.
Causes
There seems to be not one single cause for schizophrenia, but rather a multiple of factors. Scientists believe that schizophrenia is a biological disease caused by genetic factors, an imbalance of chemicals in the brain, or abnormalities in the prenatal environment. Also, a number of stressful events in a person’s lifetime may contribute to the development of schizophrenia.
Genetic Factors Research suggests that the genes one inherits, influences their risks of developing the disease. Family studies show that relatives having schizophrenia are more likely to inherit the disease by a 5-40%. Individuals with a family nature of schizophrenia have several structural brain abnormalities. Heredity does not explain all cases of the disease, however. The risk of heredity schizophrenia is 10% with those with immediate
A most rare and disturbing mental illness characterized as a disruption in cognition and emotion, which affects the way a person, analyzes him and society as a whole is known as schizophrenia. Many patients suffering from schizophrenia are emotionally disturbed, aggressive, and/or destructive to themselves, as well as others. In most cases schizophrenic disorders are severe conditions of disordered thoughts and communications, inappropriate emotions, and extremely bizarre behavior that lasts for months, years. (Branca, 454) Schizophrenia is often misinterpreted and distinguished as a split personality, yet observers classify it as a hallucination or insanity state of mind. Because of schizophrenia’s frightening symptoms, it has a debilitating effect on the lives of the people who suffer from it. Usually, patients have difficulty telling the difference between real and unreal experiences, logical and illogical thoughts, or appropriate and inappropriate behavior. It also impairs a person’s ability to function at work and play. Also, regular constant hospitalization is required for precautionary hazard to oneself.
Causes
There seems to be not one single cause for schizophrenia, but rather a multiple of factors. Scientists believe that schizophrenia is a biological disease caused by genetic factors, an imbalance of chemicals in the brain, or abnormalities in the prenatal environment. Also, a number of stressful events in a person’s lifetime may contribute to the development of schizophrenia.
Genetic Factors Research suggests that the genes one inherits, influences their risks of developing the disease. Family studies show that relatives having schizophrenia are more likely to inherit the disease by a 5-40%. Individuals with a family nature of schizophrenia have several structural brain abnormalities. Heredity does not explain all cases of the disease, however. The risk of heredity schizophrenia is 10% with those with immediate
References: Branca, Albert A., Psychology The Science of Behavior, Dallas, Allyn & Bacon, Inc., 1966, p.454-5, 517-9. Dr. Wyatt. Schizophrenia: The Need for Early Treatment. http:health.excite.com/content/dmk/dmk_article_59042 Harvard Mental Health Letter. July 1997; 14(1):4. Fletcher, Paul C., “Schizophrenia and Memory Lapses,” Science News, Dec. 1998, p.367. Funk & Wagnall 's Encarta Encyclopedia 96, “Schizophrenia,” 1993. Funk & Wagnall 's New Encyclopedia, 1877, vol. 23, p.194-5. Tussing, Lyle, Psychology for Better Living, New York, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1959, p.355-60.