Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia

When a person hears the term Schizophrenia, the first thought that

comes to mind is "Crazy" or "Insanity." Often confused with

Disassociate Identity Disorder (a.k.a. multiple personalities),

Schizophrenia is a psychiatric disorder that is characterized by a

wide variety of symptoms and the disorganization of thought processes

and emotions. Although Schizophrenia is considered one of the most

severe and frequent forms of mental disorders, scientists continue to

search for a cure and new forms of treatment for this incurable

disease whose causes are still unknown. Of all the functional

psychoses, Schizophrenia is by far the most incapacitating and a

devastating brain disease which has torn apart the lives of many

including victims of this disease and their families.

From two greek roots meaning "split mind", attempting to define the

term "Schizphrenia" is like trying to find a needle in a haystack. The

most interesting fact is that approximately one percent of the

population in Canada suffer from Schizophrenia with $7.8 billion

dollars being being spent on Mental Health care and occupying 15

percent of hospital beds. With many different types of the disease and

a broad assortment of symptoms, the characteristics unfailingly sets

Schizophrenia apart from other disorders.

There are five major types of Schizophrenia. Diorganized Schizophrenia

can be described as infentile behaviour. Patients will appear childish

by giggling, displaying silly mannerisms and inappropriate emotional

responses. Paranoid Schizophrenia is distinguished by the patient's

dellusions and hallucinations with unpredictable behaviours. Cataonic...

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...e current forms of treatment which consist mainly of

psychotherapy and prescription drug usage and perhaps one day, solve

the puzzel that has baffled scientists around the world for centuries

and discover the long awaited cure. We must remember that people

suffering from this horrifying disorder are human and have real fears

and emotions, just like everyone else. They are not "Crazy" or

"Insane." If someone you love is ever faced with Schizophrenia, do not

turn your back on them, but rather see that they are well taken care

of and receive the treatments necessary to live a normal and happy

life.

Reference List

Feldman, Robert S. & Collins Joan E. & Green Judy M. (2004) Essentials

of Understanding Psychology, Second Canadian Edition. McGraw-Hill

Ryerson Limited, a Subsidiary of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Canada.