Abnormalities of schizophrenia - Research Paper Example

?Running Head: ABNORMALITIES OF SCHIZOPHRENIA Abnormalities of Schizophrenia [The [The Abnormalities of SchizophreniaAbstract Abnormalities are the scale to judge the severity of an ailment. Schizophrenia has many abnormalities at various levels that involve body as well as mind. These abnormalities vary from case to case. The causes of schizophrenia are extremely varied and research is always going into the discovery of factors that lead to the disease. The particular causes of the disease related directly to the symptoms the patient will have making it imperative to put more money towards finding causes so we can put that information towards discovering a cure for everyone individually, to allow them to live a functional and enjoyable life. Introduction The causes of schizophrenia are rather varied and this leaves no definite way of either ensuring a person will or will not contract this abnormality. As a result, it is difficult to diagnose and treat schizophrenics unless the full extent of a person's particular case is known. Genetics has long been one of the known causes of schizophrenia, if one twin develops schizophrenia, then their identical twin would have a 50% chance of contracting it, or their fraternal twin would have a 17% chance. (Berkow, et. al. 1997) Identical twins have such a high chance of both, rather than one developing the disorder and since they have the exact same genes, given this it can be concluded that schizophrenia is directly linked to a persons DNA. It is also known that neurological abnormalities are a major cause of schizophrenia, specifically overproduction of dopamine leading to a false reality and structural abnormalities of brain tissue. Most schizophrenics have their outer ventricles swollen, a direct connection to schizophrenia, however the actual relation is not known. This is just another example of how little is truly known about this disease. One cause that has recently been discovered is a parasite called "toxoplasma gandii", which comes from cat excrement. This parasite can stay dormant and become active later in life, and also can be passed from mother to child. The actual effect that toxoplasma gandii has is unknown, however it is likely that it affects the brain chemically. Another thing currently being investigated as a cause is the herpes virus. Abnormalities of schizophrenia There are five basic symptoms of schizophrenia, and to be classified as a schizophrenic, the patient must have at least two of these five symptoms. The first, delusions, is characterized by someone who has false interpretations of reality despite abundant evidence which shows the opposite. Two of the most frequent delusions are; a) feeling as though you are being wrongly persecuted, such as the government watching you, OR b) feeling that you are of higher authority than you are, such as feeling you are God or president. Hallucinations are the next indicator, these are false sensory perceptions, and are often manifested in an auditory form. The next symptom is disorganized speech, this is speech which makes no sense in nature or reflects on the patient's inability to formulate sensible speech. Schizophrenic speech will often follow rhyming patterns or patterns based on the meanings of words as opposed to their regular use. Grossly disorganized behaviors, another symptom of schizophrenia, is characterized by those who are unable to perform simple task, or who engage in inappropriate behaviors. This could include being set upon doing one simple task, but getting distracted and executing a number of meaningless tasks in between, and losing the initial purpose of their action. Catatonics also fall under grossly disorganized behaviors, which is when someone will experience extended periods of immobility and unresponsiveness. The last indicator is negative symptoms, which are basis of social withdrawal, inability to focus attention, absence of please and a lack of mood and expression. Negative symptoms very closely resemble characteristics generally associated with depression. However these are only the basic classifications and individual combinations are so numbered that it is difficult to create reliable classification patterns to use in research, another reason it is sometimes difficult to diagnose someone with the disease. Treating Abnormalities Treating schizophrenia is very difficult because, oftentimes, the treatment is only suitable for people who have certain symptoms or characteristics specific to their own case, there are however a few main treatments that are ever changing and evolving. Medicines have long been a treatment for schizophrenia, specifically medicines to counteract overproduction of dopamine. When given to a patient who does not have the symptoms the medicine is counteracting, it can have terrible consequences if prescribed incorrectly. New medicines are constantly being created for different types of patients, however, in most instances; a patient will need to go through a trial period to see what medication will work best. This process is long and harsh on the body. Schizophrenia is a chronic disease and this means patients will need to stay on their medicines for life. Involuntary treatment for schizophrenics frequently occurs for those who are too sick to even realize they have a problem. In most cases this simply means being sent to a total institution against their own will, which will use medicine, therapy and routine together in an attempt to re-socialize the patient, in an effort to help them live a normal life. In the most extreme of cases, when a patient is also very depressed and suicidal, electroconvulsive therapy (shock therapy) is used as a form of control. Group therapy and voluntary treatment is another type of socialization that tries to allow schizophrenics to form friendships and learn how to function in society after a possible prolonged interlude of caustic symptoms. Supportive therapy is much more a practical resource for schizophrenics to have access to advice and counseling, and is not as practical for eliminating symptoms as medicine is. It is more to aid the transition into normality. Treatments for schizophrenia are difficult to create because of the number of variations of the disease, another reason more effort towards the research into this disease is needed, so that everyone who has the right to a normal life can, in fact, achieve a life of some resemblance to normalcy. The causes must be better investigated, so that we can try to stop as many people as possible from developing schizophrenia. Better systems of classifications should be created for better diagnoses, so that patients can receive treatment more rapidly. Also more research is required for medicines to counteract schizophrenia. If this happened, then the arduous process of testing drugs would not be as prolonged, and better for the patient. (Berkow, et. al. 1997) Schizophrenia is only beginning to be understood and it is necessary for research to continue at the speed it is going so that everyone with schizophrenia can achieve at least some recovery. Schizophrenia has specific symptoms and features which distinguish it from other psychoses. Some of these are delusions and hallucinations, especially of the auditory variety. Victims may also exhibit disturbed emotions and thinking; poor or no function in work, social relations, or self-care; and decreased functioning continuing for at least six months. There is no known cause, and it is especially difficult to trace physical causes like drugs or brain tumors. Other associated features can be abnormal physical activity, such as pacing and rocking; abnormal speech and communication, such as silly talk and repetition; and inappropriate manners, illogical ideas, and bizarre behavior (Smith 2003). The American Psychiatric Association names the most severe types of schizophrenia as disorganized, or hebephrenic, schizophrenia, catatonic schizophrenia, and paranoid-type schizophrenia. Hallucinations, absurd delusions, highly inappropriate laughing and crying, silliness, incoherent speech, and infantile or odd behavior characterize disorganized schizophrenia (Davison, and Neale, 2001) Catatonic schizophrenia resembles suspended animation--a loss of voluntary motion. The patient's limbs may hold any position in which they are placed. Also, they may stand or sit endlessly in what is called a catatonic "stupor"--a marked decrease in reactivity to the environment. At times, it is difficult to move a catatonic person, but at others, he or she may "flail around for no apparent reason." However, the catatonic condition is far less common today, due in part to the use of newer, more advanced medications (Smith 2003). Someone suffering from paranoid-type schizophrenia is not incoherent, does not, in general, behave inappropriately, or exhibit catatonic or grossly disorganized behavior. While he or she still hallucinates, the paranoid person's delusions are based on a single idea or theme. Unlike the disorganized behavior of other people suffering from schizophrenia, paranoid people have a highly organized imaginary world in which they live. They are frequently "anxious and frightened that someone is 'out to get them.' They often build fantastic and complex fantasy schemes about imaginary enemies." (Smith 2003) Physicians are unaware of the reason of schizophrenia. Genetic aspects may be moderately accountable for some cases. Besides this, abnormal brain chemistry may also act as a leading role player. There are certain chemicals that are called neurotransmitters, which permit nerve cells to correspond with each other, have been traced to be at abnormal levels in some patients suffering from schizophrenia. (Torrey 2004) Factors that may cause a person to be vulnerable to schizophrenia aren't' known. However, they may include genetic predisposition; problems that occurred before, during, or directly after birth; or a viral infection of the brain. It is also possible that "environmental stresses, such as stressful life events or substance abuse problems, trigger the onset and recurrence of schizophrenia in vulnerable individuals." (Butcher, 2000) Typically, schizophrenia begins with an acute episode during adolescence lasting for a few weeks, which is often misdiagnosed. After about six months to a year, a second, more severe episode will occur, lasting for about the same length of time as the first. "It is the third episode that is usually seen as the first frankly definable episode of psychosis. This occurs within a year or tow of the initial episode and results in major disruptions in the patient's life." (Mendel 1996) The rest of the patient's life with schizophrenia is marked by the display of frank psychotic symptoms, called exacerbations, and remissions, in which the person suffering from schizophrenia is free of psychotic conditions. The number of exacerbations the patient experiences each year seems to be age-related rather than related to the treatment received or to the environment. Between the ages of twenty and thirty, the patient will experience an average of six exacerbations per year. Between the ages of thirty and forty, the patient will experience two exacerbations per year, and between forty and fifty, an average of one exacerbation per year. Usually, after fifty, the illness becomes quiescent in terms of exacerbations. (Mendel 1996) Conclusion Schizophrenic abnormality symptoms characteristically appear in the teens or twenties for men. While contrary to this, among women, the origin is typically in the twenties or early thirties. Men are inclined to extend abnormalities of schizophrenia earlier and more rigorously than women do. Although drugs are the mainstay of treatment, many of those suffering from schizophrenia also benefit from non-drug therapies, such as individual therapy, family therapy, and rehabilitation. A therapist may help the patient find ways of dealing with stress and teach him or her good social skills. Also, studies show that symptoms have a better chance of improving if the victim's family members understand the illness. In fact, a person suffering from schizophrenia will not do as well if family members are not supportive, or are critical, of the disease. Antipsychotic drugs, in conjunction with psychotherapy, have been significant in the treatment of schizophrenia. Psychotherapy involves suggestion, reeducation, reassurance, support, persuasion, and sometimes even hypnosis or psychoanalysis. Many patients enter group psychotherapy sessions, which is often quite beneficial to them. It is a great relief for patients to learn that they are not alone. However, there are factors that impede the treatment of a person suffering from schizophrenia. Schizophrenia is a mental disorder that, although fairly uncommon, affects its patients seriously. It may be difficult for most people to relate to the ordeal of experiencing psychosis, but more people are learning about the presence of this serious illness every day. References Berkow, Robert M. D., Mark H. Beers, M. D and Andrew J. Fletcher, Eds (1997) "Schizophrenia and Delusional Disorder" The Merck Manual of Medical Information M. B., B. Chir. 1 vol. Whitehouse Station, New Jersey: Merck Research Laboratories. Butcher, James. (2000) "Dopamine Hypothesis Gains More Support" Lancet: July 8, 56-61. Davison, Gerald and Neale, M. John, (2001): Abnormal Psychology Wiley New York Mendel, W. M. "Schizophrenia. (1996)" Concise Encyclopedia of Psychology Eds Raymond J. Corsini and Alan J. Auerbach. 1 vol. USA: John Wiley and Sons, Inc. Smith, Douglas W. (2003) Schizophrenia. New York: Franklin Watts. Torrey, E. Fuller. (2004) "Schizophrenia" The World Book Encyclopedia Read More