Schizophrenia in Young Women and Men - Term Paper Example

Cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia involve deficient operational memory and cognitive management of actions that are frequently confirmed to be enormously disabling. Existing antipsychotic drugs are effective only for positive symptoms and are found to be ineffective against the negative and cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia. Research studies reveal that both men and women are affected at an equal proportion by schizophrenia, however, males are found to develop the symptoms prior to the females. Moreover, the onset of symptoms of schizophrenia is more prevalent in females prior to males if they are set at later stages of life indicating the fact that the onset of symptoms in both of the genders is age-dependent (Brunton et al., 2010).

However, research reveals that schizophrenia is influenced by sex differences in neurodevelopmental progressions together with the communal consequences on the risk and the course of the conditions. Now it is established that the incidence of schizophrenia is more prevalent in males with a male/female approximate ratio of 1.4:1, also there is the late onset of the condition in women. Research studies reveal that males display poor premorbid modifications, as well as negative symptoms, but these symptoms are less depressive when compared to those of females. Moreover, males are more involved in substance abuse as compared to females. A difference in morphology of the brain is also responsible for the greater prevalence of schizophrenia in males (Abel, 2010).

Causes of Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is considered a neurodevelopmental disorder that is influenced by various environmental conditions encompassing viral infection during the second trimester together with nutritional deficiency, complications at the time of birth, any kind of substance abuse during late teens or early adolescence (Fanous & Kendler, 2008).

Men Are More Prone to Schizophrenia
Statistical analysis discloses the fact that reported cases of schizophrenia indicate that men outnumber women, especially among individuals belonging to the age of 15 - 25 years, i.e., the condition onsets at an early age. As women are mentally stronger, as well as their brain morphology is better adapted to deal with the symptoms they are reported to develop, schizophrenia at the later stages or less numb of cases is being reported (Web: “Why Schizophrenia Affect Men More Than Women”). A study carried out by Lindamer (2004) indicates that the mean age of onset of schizophrenia in men is 30 and that of females is 39. Further, the study included men and women and highlighted the fact that 37% of the women developed schizophrenia at a later stage of life, especially at the age of 45 or above, while at a similar age only 16% of males are reported to develop schizophrenia.

Observation further reveals that as women develop schizophrenia at the later stages of life a comparative study is to be carried out between men and women belonging to the later age. Within the framework of such a study Lindamer (2004) found that, although women develop schizophrenia at a later age, the condition is more intense in females. Women have paranoid schizophrenia and display intense positive symptoms of schizophrenia as compared to the negative symptoms.

Schizophrenia Recovery/ Coping Mechanism in Men and Women
A difference in coping mechanisms is also reported in men and women. Studies reveal that women respond to antipsychotic drugs more efficiently as compared to men and, hence, they display better coping mechanisms for schizophrenia. Moreover, women are found to display more positive symptoms as compared to negative ones. According to Grossman et al. (2006), longitudinal research highlights the fact that social functioning displayed by women with schizophrenia is better as compared to their male counterparts and has little hospital stay along with steady family concern.
Schizophrenia & Psychology

Every individual has a different perception depending on nature. How things are perceived and understood is directly co-related to the personal outlook, psychology, as well as various predicaments. Men are more aggressive and reactionary to the situation as compared to women. Women are milder and family-oriented in the majority of the cases. They are soft and emotionally stronger to think and take decisions. The insight and thoughtfulness of both genders provide them with the ability to grasp the situation and tackle it accordingly. The methodology one adopts to tackle the situation depends on the intellect, as well as prior experiences, under certain circumstances the situation becomes tough and the individual cannot control things.

This paves the way for a stronger psychosocial response of women as compared to men; as psychology encompasses a thorough understanding of mental and behavioral processes and aids in being considerate towards brain functioning, communication, and interpersonal predispositions, motivation, and social behavior along with the physiological, as well as neurological predilections, it aids in the development of personality and frames human nature. One of the key features of psychology includes cognitive studies as it provides an assessment of mental processes.

It is the most characteristic feature of the psychologist to understand the attitude, as well as propensity, of an individual. Cognitive understanding deals with the thoughts of the individual and, hence, the mental process which also involves schizophrenia. As an individual gets mature, perception and understanding about the circumstances and situation also augment. Some may have the intellect to understand others, learn about the nature and circumstances, and react to an event in a more pleasing manner while others tend to be short-tempered and reactionary towards a situation and display rage, anguish, and depression (Web: “What is Cognitive Psychology?”).

 

 

 

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