Major Symptoms of Schizophrenia - Term Paper Example

? Final Project: Schizophrenia: Symptoms, Treatments, and Ethical Response Brief Summary of Major Symptoms of Schizophrenia Schizophrenia is a kind of mental disorder which generally represents a serious cessation of the thought process of an individual and also constitutes abnormal behavior which is characterized by emotional responses in an unusual manner. It represents a chronic, disabling as well as a severe brain disease that affects the patient to a greater extent. It is represented by way of bizarre behavior, unresponsiveness and is also characterized by hallucinations in the brain. People travailing from Schizophrenia tend to hear internal voices which others’ cannot hear. They intend to believe that other people are penetrating their mind and controlling it. Furthermore, these affected people become incomprehensible to others. There exist differentiated symptoms that are associated with this particular mental disorder. Schizophrenia is mainly characterized by reflective disruption in reasoning as well as emotion that drastically affects the essential human attributes. In this regard, the array of symptoms of Schizophrenia consists of psychotic manifestations that depict hearing of internal voices or hallucinations. The symptoms also consist of obscene behavior, unusual laughter and other behavioral aspects such as disorganized behavior, rigidity, agitated behavior and incoherence. This disorder primarily relates to the emotional aspects of an individual in which a person loses control over his/her emotional facets but it does not imply a personality disorder or a split personality. It is rather characterized by stagnant thoughts as well as preferences that cannot be changed. Schizophrenia may also prove to be driven by hereditary in which people with family history of this specific disorder also run the possibility of attaining the disorder (Coon & Mitterer, 2008). Areas of the Brain Most Impacted By Schizophrenia According to observation of National Institute of Mental Health, areas such as forebrain, limbic system and hindbrain are drastically affected by Schizophrenia. Forebrain is represented as the topmost as well as the largest portion of brain. The forebrain is considered to be the most vital part of brain as it serves to control cognition, sensory, reproduction, temperature and motor functions among others. The forebrain consists of the cerebral hemisphere which comprises four lobes i.e. corpus callosum, thalamus, limbic system and hypothalamus. When a person is affected by the disease, the frontal lobe is the place where skewed thoughts occur, which further creates delusional ideations. The other three lobes are also drastically affected by this particular disease causing a major harm to the patient. Hindbrain encompasses pons, cerebellum and medulla that mainly serves as a motor activity and balances circulation of the blood vessels. In this regard, when this particular part is affected by the disease, it results in blunted movement as well as incongruous body language. Correspondingly, the limbic system is located within innermost portion of the brain and encompasses hippocampus as well as amygdala. Additionally, this portion of the brain mainly regulates emotions, sexual behavioral and learning. When this part of brain is affected by the disease, it results in disorganized behavior and incongruous sexual content. Thus, aforesaid areas represent major portions of brain that are drastically affected by Schizophrenia (Dahl, 2011). Long-Term Implications of the Disorder Schizophrenia is considered to be a very serious mental disorder in which a person may face numerous problems in relation to performing simplest of functions which are related to mind. As per the above discussions, it is apparent that this particular mental disorder can lead to serious amount of damages to brain that can make life a person miserable. It drastically affects the individual with the disorder as well as his/her closed ones. Relationship problem is a common impact of this particular disease upon an individual. People suffering from this disease withdraw themselves from others. Furthermore, this particular disease disrupts the daily normal activity of an individual being affected. It becomes difficult for an affected person to perform daily routine activities. It ruins the life of an affected person as it damages the brain in such a way that the person even loses the capability to recognize his/her closest family members and friends. The brain starts functioning in a particular direction and does not consider other aspects of life. These factors are enough to provide long-term hurdles to a person in undergoing the routine activities of life. An individual being affected by this particular disease at times develops a problem of regular consumption of drugs as well as alcohol considering it as a self-medication. Additionally, an individual suffering from this particular disease is prone to suicidal attempts. Thus, it can be ascertained that Schizophrenia lays greater implications to an affected person in the long-run. It can be depicted by citation of an example. For instance, Schizophrenia can lead to life-threatening situations in which a person may end up killing himself/herself. A person affected by Schizophrenia does not have control upon his/her brain and if the problem persists to remain for a longer period of time without proper treatment then it may also result in such instances of death (Coon & Mitterer, 2008). Three Accepted Treatments for Schizophrenia Schizophrenia is a serious mental disorder and in order to fight against this disease, a lot of efforts along with willpower are required. However, by following three accepted treatments for Schizophrenia, a patient can be provided an early recovery from the ailment. 1) Get Involved in Treatment: A patient will have to get involved in all kinds of treatment processes that will include proper diagnosis of the disease such as behavioral therapy along with clinical applications that can very well serve the behavioral area. 2) Build A Strong Support System: A strong support system can be built by the way of coordinating with the family members and friends for getting proper assistance in the times of difficulty related to mental issues and cognitive problems. This process can hence be related to the social/support area. 3) Put Medication in Its Place: By putting proper psychopharmacology treatment process such as rehabilitation programs against drugs, a proper set of medications could be provided to the affected patient (Helpguide.org, n.d.). Alternate Treatment for Schizophrenia One of the most effective treatment processes that can be used as an alternative option would be to make healthier choices pertaining to existence and health. A healthy regime can be assumed by adopting a number of measures including: Having Plenty of Sleep: It will ensure proper maintenance of health and also will provide proper peace of mind Avoiding Alcohol and Drugs: By taking these measures, a lot of development can be made in one’s health and it can also help to attain a very healthy and divine life By Indulging In Activities Relating To Fitness And Exercise: By indulging in these kinds of activities, one can ensure proper fitness of the body along with apt circulation of the mind Choosing Work And Activities That Brings Out The Confidence In Oneself: If a Schizophrenia patient performs activities and works that best suit her/her interests then it would definitely enable him/her to remain contented and happy (Helpguide.org, n.d.). Furthermore, the provision for jobs as well as social skill training will ensure better results in treating the affected patients. Residential support frames an important part of the treatment as it will foster care and affection for affected individual. All practices that are being applied and implemented for the purpose of treating Schizophrenia can prove to be ethical because these practices are related to curing an affected individual. Additionally, these aspects mainly focus on proper care and improvement of the health standards of an affected individual. Thus, all the above factors can prove to be very effective for the treatment of Schizophrenia as all these measures are essentially meant to provide increased health benefits to the patients. And also, if these measures are continued to be practiced then it can lead to a lot of improvement in the diagnosis process of Schizophrenia (Helpguide.org, n.d.). References Coon, D., & Mitterer, J. O. (2008). Introduction to psychology: Gateways to mind and behavior. United Kingdom: Cengage Learning. Dahl, D. (2011). Areas of the brain affected by schizophrenia. Retrieved from http://www.livestrong.com/article/88264-areas-brain-affected-schizophrenia/ Helpguide.org, (n.d.). Schizophrenia treatment & recovery. Retrieved from http://www.helpguide.org/mental/schizophrenia_treatment_support.htm Read More