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Schizophrenia: A Mental Illness Disorder

Schizophrenia: A Mental Illness Disorder

Michelle Culver
HCA/240
Carmen Griffis

Schizophrenia: A Mental Illness Disorder

Schizophrenia: A Mental Illness Disorder

Schizophrenia cannot fully be explained or understood in human terms because of the
limitations of the current human perspective, yet this perspective can shift, all human race needs
is one more shifter here and there. Schizophrenia is a mental illness where there are disturbances
in perceptions, or hallucinations, and beliefs, or delusions are reflected in behavior and thoughts
that are vague and detached from reality (Zelman et al., 2010). Before schizophrenia became a
modern day term, it was known as adolescent insanity in Scotland, hebephrenia in German, and
eventually was proposed to integrate those varied clinical pictures into a single nosological entity
(combination of disease) under the name dementia praecox by Emil Kraepelin between 18561926 (Jablensky, A., 2010).
Kraepelin longitudinal (repeated observation of a set of subjects over time) observations
of large numbers of clinical cases, produced common patterns exhibiting severe cognitive and
behavioral decline; although the core features werent always identified reliable in the crosssection of the presentation (Jablensky, A., 2010). Upon clinical investigation the fundamental
disorders, bared the theory that schizophrenia entity was a cognitive deficit of general decay in
mental efficiency and the loss of mastery volitional (conscious choice and decision) actions
which are manifested in the residuals terminal states of illness (Jablensky, A. 2010). Although
Kraepelin never created a definitive list of diagnostic criteria, he did validate dementia praecox
derived from the neuropathology, physiology, and biological chemistry of the brain (Jablensky,
A. 2010). Towards the end of his life, Kraepelin began to doubt his original formulation on
dementia praecox and published a paper in 1920 where he wrote that the formulation of the
problem may be incorrect; thus causing him to abandon his discovery and believe the
schizophrenic syndrome originates within the area of the patients personality (Jablensky, A.

Schizophrenia: A Mental Illness Disorder

2010). Years later, Eugen Bleuler study Kraepelin theory on schizophrenia and added to the
understanding of the condition.
Eugen Bleuler accepted Kraepelins original concept, although he renamed it to modern
day medical term schizophrenia (Jablensky, A. 2010). Bleuler found the mental illness was not
an independent disorder, but appears to be a group of diseases which symptoms fall into three
categories: positive, negative, and cognitive (Zelman et al., 2010). The discovery made between
Kraepelin and Bleuler set the standards for present day diagnosis of schizophrenias
psychopathology course, outcome, and relations with family history (Jablensky, A. 2010). These
clinical findings were able to resolve misconceptions about it.
Common misconceptions with schizophrenia is hopeless, people who have it never
recover, hallucinations and paranoia are the only symptoms, theyre dangerous, they have spilt or
multiple personalities, and only through a lot of medication are they able to get better (Myths et
al., 2015). The real explains to these canard myths are first, through medications, recoveryoriented psychosocial treatments and rehabilitations practice, schizophrenia may relieve the
hopelessness to a productive, successful, and independent individual (Myths et al., 2015).
Second, the psychosis of the disease affects multiple brain functions causing delusions and
hallucinations to interfere with the ability to think clearly, manage emotions, and make decisions,
ultimately designing a belief that people are either following or looking at them (Myths et al.,
2015). Thirdly, the ironic theory that schizophrenic people are dangerous is reversed, in that they
tend to be withdrawn and prefers to be left alone; meaning there is a greater chance of them
becoming a victim of violence (Myths et al., 2015). Not so, however schizophrenia does pose
risk of danger if the patient refuses or forgets to take their medicine. Fourth, schizophrenia
confusion of split of multiple personalities derives from the literal meaning of the Greek form

Schizophrenia: A Mental Illness Disorder

split mind; whereas the medical comparison refers to the split from reality (Myths et al., 2015).
Lastly, medication will only help aid in the treatment of schizophrenia, however the necessary
combination of anti-psychotic medications and psychosocial therapies support better result in
coping with schizophrenia (Myths et al., 2015).
To better understand this mental illness one must learn how the disease affects the mind
and the symptoms associated with it. The neurotransmitters are substance which allows the brain
cells to communicate with one another (What is Schizophrenia, 2009). There exists a belief
among scientist that when there develops an imbalance in the complex chemical reaction of the
brain involving the neurotransmitter dopamine and glutamate, it creates larger ventricles and
more gray areas forming the makeup of schizophrenic brain (What is Schizophrenia, 2009).
These imbalances and abnormalities of the brain development cause signs and symptoms to
represent in forms such as hallucinations, delusions, disordered thinking, movement disorders,
flat affect, social withdrawals, and cognitive deficits (Zelman et al., 2010). To further understand
the symptoms, they can be categorized into three groups: positive, negative, and cognitive
(Zelman et al., 2010).
Positive psychotic behavior symptoms are a hallucination where a person sees, hears,
smell, or feels something that no one other individual is able to see, hear, smell, or feel (What is
Schizophrenia Symptoms, 2009). They believe what appears before them is reality and perceive
these hallucinations to true. Another form of positive symptoms is thought disorders, whereas
they present unusual or dysfunctional ways of thinking; commonly referred to as disorganized
thinking (What is Schizophrenia, 2009). They tend to think illogically, jumbled, or meaningless
and not recognize the cause being for it.

Schizophrenia: A Mental Illness Disorder

Negative symptoms observed with schizophrenia are disruption of their normal emotions
and behaviors; however the symptom can be overlooked or mistaken for depression (What is
Schizophrenia, 2009). These symptoms have been associated as flat affect, lack of pleasure in
everyday life, lack of ability to begin and sustain planned activities, and or speaking little making
themselves require help with everyday tasks (What is Schizophrenia, 2009). Lastly, cognitive
symptoms has been described as subtle in nature showing poor executive functions, trouble
focusing or paying attention, and having problems with working memory; making the diagnosis
difficult to recognize and detectible only during the test (What is Schizophrenia, 2009).
Test and diagnosis for schizophrenia included physical evaluation, pharmacological
antipsychotic prescription medications, and illness management interventions such as behavioral
modifications (Zelman et al., 2010). Test and screening labs are performed for complete blood
count, screening for alcohol and drugs, and brain imaging such as MRI or CT scans are done
(Schizophrenia tests and diagnosis, 2014). The presiding doctor may request psychological
evaluation by a psychiatrist to check mental status. By observing of appearance and demeanor,
thoughts, moods, delusions, hallucinations, substance abuse, and potential for violence or
suicide; the doctor can conclude the presence of brain abnormalities and deem the patient meets
the criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (Schizophrenia test and
diagnosis, 2014). In order to officially be diagnosed with schizophrenia the patient must have at
least two of following symptoms over the course of a one-month observed period (Schizophrenia
test and diagnosis, 2014). These symptoms can be in any combination of one or two as listed
below:

Delusions
Hallucinations
Disorganized speech

Schizophrenia: A Mental Illness Disorder

Extremely disorganized behavior

Catatonic Behavior
Negative symptoms

Treatment for schizophrenia is a lifelong plan and at some points crisis episodes may
present so severe that hospitalization may be necessary to ensure safety, proper nutrition,
adequate sleep, and basic hygiene (Schizophrenia treatment and drugs, 2009). A psychiatrist may
be referred to perform ongoing therapy to help deal and cope with Schizophrenia. A psychiatrist
may prescribe antipsychotic medications such as risperidone and olanzapine; which affect the
brains neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin (Zelman et al., 2010). Or newer conventional
antipsychotic medication such a chlorpromazine or fluphenazie; which have less side effects and
are more affordable (Schizophrenia treatment and drugs, 2009). Depending upon the patients
willingness to cooperate with medication, ultimately decide which form they are given; such as a
resistant patient may receive injections while a willful patient may take pill form.
In addition to prescription medication, psychosocial intervention such as individual
therapy, social skill training, family therapy, and vocational rehabilitation/supported employment
help teach schizophrenias how to live safely within the community (Schizophrenia treatment and
drugs, 2009). Individual therapy aims to teach the patient how to cope with stress and learn how
to identify early warning signs in the presence of relapse; while social skill training focuses on
showing the patient the proper way to communicate and socially interact with non-schizophrenic
individuals (Schizophrenia treatments and drugs, 2009). Finally, treatment such as family therapy
and vocational rehabilitation teaches outsiders how to provide support and the schizophrenic
individual how to become a productive member in the community.

Schizophrenia: A Mental Illness Disorder

Once schizophrenia has been diagnosed, it is of the utmost important to stay on track.
Always take the medication, go to therapy appointments, have a support group, and by engaging
in relaxation or stress management classes guarantees the best treatment a schizophrenic can
have. If the treatment plan that is set up is not followed, relapse can happen and in the worst case
scenario they may end hospitalized or commit suicide. Schizophrenia needs outside help to be
there because they will always be incapable of living alone.

Reference

Schizophrenia: A Mental Illness Disorder

Jablensky, A. (2010). The diagnostic concept of schizophrenia: Its history, evolution,
and future prospects. Dialogues Clin Neurosci, 12(3), 271-287. Retrieved
March 20, 2015, from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3181977/
Myths and Facts About Schizophrenia. (2015, January 1). Retrieved March 20, 2015,
from http://www.neomed.edu/academics/bestcenter/helpendstigma/mythsand-facts-about-schizophrenia
What is Schizophrenia? (2009). Retrieved March 21, 2015, from
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/schizophrenia/index.shtml#pub2
Schizophrenia Symptoms. (2014, June 24). Retrieved March 20, 2015, from
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseasesconditions/schizophrenia/basics/symptoms/con-20021077
Schizophrenia Tests and diagnosis. (2014, June 24). Retrieved March 21, 2015, from
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/schizophrenia/basics/testsdiagnosis/con-20021077
Schizophrenia treatment and drugs. (2014, June 24). Retrieved March 21, 2015 from
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseasesconditions/schizophrenia/basics/treatment/con-20021077
What is Schizophrenia? (n.d.). Retrieved March 21, 2015, from
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/schizophrenia/index.shtml#pub2
Zelman, M., Tompary, E., Raymond, J., Holdaway, P., & Mulvihill, M. (2010). Human
diseases: A systemic approach (7th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson