Schizophrenia Research Paper

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Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is one the major physical brain disorders, others being autism, obsessive compulsive disorder, bipolar disorders, panic and anxiety disorders, pervasive developmental disorders, tourette’s disorder, and schizoaffective disorder. Schizophrenia is primarily shrouded in stigma, stereotypes, and myths. For example, a lot of people associate this brain disorder with criminals and violence. However, people who suffer from schizophrenia are not more likely to be violent compared to other people, except if maybe they are abusing drugs and alcohol or if they had a criminal history prior to becoming sick (Weickert et al. 3). This research paper provides an in-depth discussion of the neurological disorder schizophrenia.
Schizophrenia is an incapacitating, chronic disorder that is typified by an incapability to differentiate between what is not real and what is real. This neurological brain disorder affects more than 2 million people in America at present, or an estimated 1% of the American population (Gottlieb, Mueser and Glynn 492). It could affect anybody at any age although it commonly develops to individuals aged between 16 years and 30 years. Individuals who suffer from this disorder basically experience delusional thoughts and hallucinations, and cannot communicate well, think in a rational way, recall information or make decisions (Broussard et al. 354).
To members of the public, the behaviour of schizophrenia sufferers may appear disgraceful or peculiar. Unsurprisingly, schizophrenia can adversely affect school, work and daily activities. It can also destroy relationships. An estimated 1/3 of people who suffer from this disorder attempt suicide (Gottlieb, Mueser and Glynn 494). Luckily, this disorder can be treated using therapy and medication, and this makes it important to understand the symptoms and for the sufferer to receive the appropriate diagnosis. It is worth mentioning that the earlier an individual is properly diagnosed, the sooner the individual could commence an effectual treatment plan.
History of schizophrenia
Schizophrenia’s history is rather contentious given that the word schizophrenia actually did not come into being until roughly the year 1908 (Tracy 2). Nonetheless, what is certain is that forms of psychosis and mental illness have been observed throughout medical history and most of these conditions are what would probably be recognized now as schizophrenia. The name schizophrenia was conceptualized by Paul Eugen Bleuler, a Swiss psychiatrist in the year 1910. Taken literally, this name denotes a splitting of the mind. This is actually regrettable since this phrase suggests that the mental disorder is a split personality or mental personality disorder. In essence, the word schizophrenia was selected and used to mean the separation between personality, perception, memory, and thinking (Tracy 2).
Causes of schizophrenia
Just like other psychological disorders, schizophrenia is believed to be an intricate interplay of environment, biology – brain structure and chemistry –, and genetics. Genetics: this brain disorder commonly runs in families, hence it is possible that schizophrenia is actually inherited (Zakharyan and Boyajyan 83). If an identical twin is suffering from this disorder, there is a 50% chance that the other twin will also have schizophrenia. This also illustrates the possibility of other causes: if this disorder were totally hereditary, both the twins would usually have schizophrenia. Environment: researchers have reported that living within an urban environment, severe stress, early traumatic events, negative events in life and child abuse are the main factors that contribute to the occurrence of schizophrenia. Other causes are mental and physical complications at the period of pregnancy, for instance malnutrition, viral infection, as well as stress of the mother (Pocklington, O'Donovan and Owen 1061). Structure and chemistry of the brain: the chemicals inside the brain – neurotransmitters – for instance glutamate and dopamine, which communicate between neurons also contribute to this disorder. Researchers have reported that the brain of an individual with this disorder is dissimilar compared to that of a healthy person (Weickert et al. 6).
Types of schizophrenia
Disorganized schizophrenia – this is understood as the disruption of the processes of thought resulting in the impairment of everyday activities such as brushing teeth, eating and bathing. Those with this disorder often demonstrate emotions that are erratic or inappropriate. They may, for example, laugh at a sad occasion. In addition, their talking becomes nonsensical and disorganized (Frisher 609). Catatonic schizophrenia – this basically entails a disturbance in movement. The sufferer may stop to move – catatonic stupor – or his movement may increase radically – catatonic excitement. In addition, the sufferer may constantly repeat what other people are saying – echolalia –, assume peculiar positions, or imitate the movement of somebody else – echopraxia (Pocklington, O'Donovan and Owen 1063).
Paranoid schizophrenia – this disorder is typified by auditory delusions and hallucinations regarding conspiracy or persecution. Nonetheless, the sufferer exhibits moderately normal cognitive functioning (Broussard et al. 353). Undifferentiated schizophrenia – this comprises quite a few symptoms from the aforementioned types. However, the symptoms do not precisely fit the criteria for other schizophrenia types. Residual schizophrenia – this one is diagnosed whenever an individual does not show the symptoms of schizophrenia or when the symptoms are not as severe (Broussard et al. 354). The risk factors for this brain disorder include the following: unusual thoughts, social impairment, schizophrenia running in the family, and suspicion or paranoia. Abuse of substances particularly cannabis/marijuana is also a major contributory factor (Frisher 610).
Schizophrenia and ethnicity
Researchers have found the rates of schizophrenia to be highest in ethnic groups which are largely African Americans. In their study, Bresnahan et al. (2) compared the incidence of this brain disorder between whites and blacks in America. They learned that blacks were roughly 3 times more likely than their white counterparts to be diagnosed with this brain disorder. The difference is attributed to racial disparities in the marital as well as social and economic status (Bresnahan et al. 3). In yet another study, Latino and African American youngsters seen inside a psychiatric emergency department were found to have a higher chance of being diagnosed with this brain disorder than white adolescents and youngsters (Pocklington, O'Donovan and Owen 1060). This implies that Schizophrenia is most common amongst people of African American and Hispanic ethnicity than among whites.
Schizophrenia symptoms
In people who are healthy, the brain operates in such a manner that the stimuli which come in are sorted and then interpreted. A logical response then follows, for instance realizing the possible consequence of arriving late to work, or saying thanks after being given a gift. In general, schizophrenia symptoms are grouped into 3 categories: negative; positive; and cognitive symptoms. (i) Cognitive symptoms, also known as associated thinking – these symptoms include the following: incapacity to recall things; and behaviour that is grossly disorganized or unresponsive/catalonic. The sufferer also has poor executive functioning, meaning that he or she cannot process incoming information and make decisions. They also have disorganized speech meaning whatever the individual says, she or he does not make any sense (Mander and Kingdon 65). (ii) Negative symptoms – these are the symptoms which should actually be present. Negative schizophrenia symptoms include avolition, meaning that the sufferer has littl...