Schizophrenia Assignment Example
Schizophrenia is a chronic progressive endogenous mental illness. Schizophrenia can be also described as a mental disorder that is caused by a violation of the unity of thought processes and of emotional reactions, which leads to dissociative dementia. A genetic predisposition plays a leading role in the occurrence of schizophrenia. On the other hand, external factors, such as trauma, past illnesses, head injuries, have secondary importance and act only as the catalysts of the psycho pathological process. There are various types of schizophrenia that differ in symptomatic manifestation.Schizophrenia Assignment Example
Schizophrenia occurs in 1-2% of people, and the first symptoms usually appear in adolescence. The disorder is characterized by productive and negative symptoms. Negative symptoms are those qualities that a person loses due to the illness. For example, an ill person becomes apathetic, in other words, lacks emotions. Moreover, their thinking becomes torn: the patient is not able to clearly and consistently express their thoughts. On the other hand, productive or positive symptoms are secondary. They usually include illusions, hallucinations, catatonia, and delusions.Schizophrenia Assignment Example
According to the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10), there are the following forms of schizophrenia. The first one is a paranoid type which is characterized by delusions of persecution, relationships, greatness as well as true auditory hallucinations and pseudo-hallucinations that can be visual, olfactory, and tactile. The second type is called hebephrenic, and it develops in adolescence. Hebephrenic schizophrenia is characterized by behavioral disorders, grimacing, mannerisms, unpredictability, fragmentation of thought and speech. The third is catatonic schizophrenia, which is marked by negativism, mutism, freezing in the same position, catatonic stupor or excitement as well as copying other people’s statements, movements, and facial expressions. The next type is undifferentiated schizophrenia. It has symptoms of schizophrenia without the predominance of any of them. Scientists also mention post-schizophrenic depression as another type of schizophrenia. As a result of the illness, depression develops in addition to some schizophrenia symptoms. One more type of schizophrenia is a simple form. Usually, these patients are introverted and indifferent toward themselves and others. Moreover, they are prone to vagrancy and inappropriate behavior, paralogous and ambivalent thinking. The last type is residual schizophrenia. It is a chronic course of schizophrenia that has negative symptoms, such as emotional flattening, for example.
To conclude, different forms of mental disorders, schizophrenia in particular, are characterized by specific symptoms. Based on these particular features, there have been developed the classifications of the illnesses, which help to understand what to expect from the patients. Thus, it is likely that the further research of the symptoms will give an insight into the more effective preventive measures for the illness relapses.Schizophrenia Assignment Example
Schizophrenia is a serious and chronic mental illness that impairs a person’s thoughts and behavior, and if untreated, can include psychosis.
Schizophrenia is a disabling mental illness that affects more than 1 percent of the world’s population. Individuals afflicted with this thought disorder experience hallucinations, disorganized thinking, and are prone to false and paranoid beliefs. These and other symptoms often render the individual fearful, withdrawn, or difficult to interact with.
Schizophrenia takes an enormous toll on afflicted families. Many people with schizophrenia have difficulty maintaining a job or living independently, though it is important to recognize that treatment, especially at the onset of symptoms, allows individuals with a diagnosis of schizophrenia to lead meaningful, productive lives.
Schizophrenia afflicts men and women in equal numbers and is found in similar rates in all ethnic groups around the world. The symptom presentation and age of onset do differ between the sexes, however. Men present with more negative symptoms (see below) and become symptomatic at a younger age. The peak age for onset in men is between ages 21 and 25. Women are more likely to be diagnosed between ages 25 and 30, and again after age 45. In women with late onset, hormonal changes associated with perimenopause or menopause are thought to be a contributing factor but the mechanism is unclear and has been a source of debate within the field of psychiatry. Schizophrenia Assignment Example
Schizophrenia rarely occurs in children, but awareness of childhood-onset schizophrenia is increasing. It can be difficult to diagnose schizophrenia in teens because the first signs of the illness can include withdrawal from friends, a drop in grades, sleep problems, and irritability—common adolescent behaviors. The period prior to acute onset is known as the prodromal period and often includes withdrawing from others, and an increase in unusual thoughts and suspicions. It is critical to seek a professional opinion if a prodromal period is suspected because early intervention (prior to or just following a first psychotic episode) can greatly minimize symptoms and alter the course of the disease, leading to much higher lifetime functioning.
People with schizophrenia may display hostility or aggression. It should be noted, however, that the vast majority of people with schizophrenia are not aggressive and pose much more danger to themselves than to others.
Schizophrenia is typically a chronic condition and people with this diagnosis cope with symptoms throughout life. However, many people with schizophrenia lead rewarding and meaningful lives in their communities.Schizophrenia Assignment Example