A Comparative Look at Hallucinations in Schizophrenics and Sufferers of Charles Bonnet Syndrome, and Their Corresponding Reality Discrimination Abilities
Hallucinations are defined as sensory perceptions in the absence of externally generated stimuli (6). They are not to be confused with illusions in which actual external objects are perceived but misinterpreted by the individual (6). Hallucinations can take many forms including visual, auditory, olfactory and tactile, but for this paper we will focus primarily on the visual type. Visual hallucinations can occur in a number of different situations, two of which we will discuss here: Charles Bonnet syndrome and schizophrenia. These two conditions are unique in the causes and effects of the hallucinations resulting from each, and in the types of people in whom they occur. A most interesting distinction is that Charles Bonnet patients are aware of their hallucinations while schizophrenics are not. In the next sections I will present a description of the hallucinations that occur in each condition, and some hypothesized causes of these. I will conclude with an attempt to discover why there exists an awareness of hallucinations in one that is absent in the other.
Charles Bonnet syndrome is the onset of hallucinations in psychologically healthy individuals who have become either visually-impaired, or completely blind. There are two main theories as to the cause of these hallucinations. The first and most popular is that they are "release hallucinations" that result from the, "removal of normal visual afferent input to association cortex" (7). This is supported by experiments involving direct stimulation of the temporal lobe, and fMRI's taken during hallucination events. These studies found that in the absence of visual input, activity was present in a particular visual area of the brain and that the resulting hallucination would be a type of image normally perceived by that area. For instance, a subject who hallucinated in color showed activity in the color center of the fusiform gyrus while a subject who hallucinated fences and brickwork showed activity in the collateral sulcus which responds to visual textures. (4) These areas normally respond to outside visual input, but in this case there was none. It is possible then that these areas are activated in the absence of inhibition caused by outside visual input. This would be something like the phenomenon of the chicken that runs around in circles once its head has been severed. The other theory is that hallucinations in visually-impaired individuals occur as part of a "filling in" process that is already in use by our brains.
According the fourth edition diagnostic manual of mental disorders (American Psychiatric Association, 2000), the category psychotic disorders (Psychosis) include Schizophrenia, paranoid (Delusional), disorganized, catatonic, undifferentiated, residual type. Other clinical types include Schizoaffective Disorder, Bipolar Affective Disorder/Manic depression, mania, Psychotic depression, delusional (paranoid) disorders. These are mental disorders in which the thoughts, affective response or ability to recognize reality, and ability to communicate and relate to others are sufficiently impaired to interfere grossly with the capacity to deal with reality; the classical and general characteristics of psychosis are impaired reality testing, hallucinations, delusions, and illusions. Mostly, these are used as defining features of psychosis even if there are other psychotic symptoms that characterise these disorders (L. Bortolotti, 2009).
Donnie Darko is a 2001 dark psychological drama that revolves around the main character, Donnie Darko, after he survives a freak accident. The film follows him as he tries to understand his delusions of the world ending and a man dressed in a bunny suit called Frank. His delusions and hallucinations lead him to kill people and even set someones house on fire all because he is following the directions of Frank. At the end of the movie he goes back in time through a metal orb he hallucinates and seems to lets himself get killed by the airplane that crashes into his house that caused the freak accident.
A hallucination is defined as a sensory perception in the absence of an externally generated stimulus (4). They are different from illusions in that in an illusion an external object actually exists and is perceived, but is misinterpreted by the individual (4). Main forms of hallucinations are be visual, auditory, and olfactory, but since we have been discussing vision and interpretation of reality lately this paper will focus only on those that are visual. And I will attempt through the examination of two different types of visual hallucinations - release hallucinations and those experienced by schizophrenics - to make an argument for brain equals behavior.
To summarize, fashion is just another outlet through which we can view our ever changing world. It is just as important as literature, cinema, and other means of creative expression that document history. However, fashion plays an even bigger role than most other art forms because it can shape the identity of a generation. Similarly, the clothes you wear can tell a story about who you are and your part in shaping a culture. In history class we often view historical events and facts so objectively that we forget that the people we read about had their own colorful culture as we do. Observing fashion and fashion history, ultimately, breathe life into the past and help us to understand how we operate as a society.
Breastfeeding is a wonderful gift that has been given to women. It allows mothers to feed their babies whenever they need to be fed and is very beneficial for both mother and child. So why are many people opposed to mothers nursing in public? Many people argue that breastfeeding is indecent and inappropriate in public places, even if the mother covers herself. Others will claim that it makes them uncomfortable and creates awkward social interactions. However, breastfeeding is perfectly natural. A woman should be able to nurse her child whenever she pleases and not feel ashamed for it.
During the middle and late third century Roman republic era gave rise to the arena games and became a great phenomenon for the Romans. An amphitheater, also known as a coliseum, housed these dangerous games that potentially harmed the audience as well as those who participated in them. Gladiatorial combat originated as part of funerals for deceased influential Romans. These large gladiatorial games were held by emperors during funerals of important roman officials, but were also included during other occasions. Over time the connection among the gladiator games and funerals decreased, and the upper class put on the games mainly to raise their social standing and gain favor with the public. Many politicians held these highly known games to help them sway votes of power and popularity (Meijer 2003, 27). “The arena was the embodiment of the empire.” (Futrell 1997, 209). The contestants, or the gladiators, had more significance of the Roman Empire beyond that as their role of entertainment.
Schizophrenia is a chronic psychotic disorder that is characterized by different disturbing behaviors that individuals suffer from. The characterized different disturbing behaviors associated with the disorder are emotional, thought, and perceptions on certain aspects of life. Individuals that suffer from schizophrenia seem too disengaged from society and are not able to perform some of the normal functions of life. The disorder is associated with “deficits in neurocognitive processes that represent a core feature of the disorder and may precede illness onset” (Kantrowitz, 2012) as stated in the Expect Review of Neurotherapeutics article. There are defects in many neuropsychological domains throughout the person’s brain that ends up causes the person to have certain reactions. People that suffer from schizophrenia also have episodes of hallucinations, delusions, incoherent speech, illogical thinking, and bizarre behaviors. In addition, some other behaviors are not being able to think clearly and have almost no facial expression to almost any emotio...
...the auditory nerve to the brain. The sound has to travel through auditory nerves in order to reach the brain.
Fashion in the 21th century is a big business, as its production employs millions of people and generates billions of dollars in revenue. Fashion has for the past century been, and is still today, used as an indicator of social change and progress, as it changes with the social norms of the society and the political changes of the world (Finkelstein 3).
With the growing number of countries with child exploitation and young girls and women selling their bodies unwillingly, there becomes an issue when crossing country boarders and the laws that those countries have established. There are serious definitional and methodological differences within the worldwide studies. There is no sure way to measure and document the actual extend of sexual exploitation of children because research only can go so far, many children and women go unnoticed or fly under the radar. Many countries have differences in defining what constitutes as a minor and what constitutes as an adult in the separating figures on children from figures on adults within the sex trade industry. “There is also the issue of illegal versus legal uses of children for purposes of sexual exploitation. For example, in some countries, child prostitution is technically legal, making it difficult to separate what is outlawed from what is tolerated.”(Flowers) Another major limitation in the measure of international child exploitation is the lack of cooperation between countries and the researchers in those countries gathering information. The big question is where do we go from here? “The Demand for prostitution, both in the United States and abroad, creates one of the most profitable markets for organized crime in the world: global demand for human trafficking generates $32 billion annually, $27.8 billion of which is generated by sex trafficking alone.”(Makatche, 2013) There obviously is no sign of slowing down for the sex trafficking industry but there are major corporations that are getting involved. “In December 2011, Google made several grants totaling $11.5 million to anti-trafficking organizations to support new initiatives utilizing technology to combat human trafficking. These technology-focused initiatives include projects with Polaris Project, Slavery
There are many different sub-types of schizophrenia with the paranoid type being the most well-known and common-place sort. Some of the signs and symptoms of the illness include audio and visual hallucinations; people hear and see things that are not there. In most cases, individuals also suffer from delusions; these people think that other people whether it be friends, family or even strangers are plotting against them to do them harm in some way. Other psychological symptoms of schizophrenia include distractibility, and a poor attention span [2-5]. The core of the cognitive symptoms is a memory deficiency in which there is trouble maintaining things in their short-term memory [6, 7].These are but a few of the many symptoms that plagues the poor sufferers of schizophrenia and disrupts their daily lives.
...pression surfaces in Woody's style of speaking and the way the encouraging words and mannerisms calmed the troubled Shaun at the beginning of the movie to Combo's standoffish and fearful manner of speaking which through his enthusiastic speech and use of embarrassment brought some members over from Woody's more calm surroundings. Woody spoke in an uplifting style and that is how the movie showed his demeanor to be, he acted the way the words he used represented, whereas Combo using harsh wordings, somewhat forced his beliefs onto others.
Schizophrenia is a mental disorder that affects your ability to understand reality. It impacts your thought process, emotions, decision making and overall behaviour. Researchers are unsure about the exact cause of this mental illness but they suggest that the majority of the cases are caused by an imbalance in the brain’s structure or environmental causes. Schizophrenia can emerge at any age; however, the majority develops it between ages 15 to 40. The first common symptom of schizophrenia is hallucinations which occur when you sense something that isn’t there. The hallucinations are formed by your mind and they distort reality by making you hear, see, feel, or smell something that isn’t actually there. Delusions are another symptom of schizophrenia and they make you believe
The Fashion Industry can be described as a glamorous world with cameras flashing, beautiful models strutting down the runway, in stunning and grand designs. What really goes on behind fashion’s dolled up doors is only an illusion compared to what reality is. Beautiful people, stylish clothing and timeless sophistication all make up the illusion of the glitz and glam of the fashion industry, but behind the curtains countless of models and designers constantly fall victim to this industry’s ever changing wrath. Fashion can be defined as a popular trend especially in styles of dress, ornaments or behavior. A model is a person who poses or displays for art purposes, fashion or other products and advertising. Fashion models are used mainly to promote products focusing mostly on clothing and accessory. The two main type of modeling in the fashion industry is commercial modeling and high fashion modeling. High Fashion models usually work for campaigns, designer’s collections and magazine editorials for high fashion designers. Runway modeling also known as “catwalk modeling” is displaying fashions and is generally performed by high fashion models. In my research paper, my main focus will be the multiple effects on high fashion models based upon the industry’s unregulated standards.
Fashion plays an important role in the lives of billions all over the world; people, as part of a status craving society, turn to “fashion capitals” of the world for ways in which to dress and carry themselves. New York, Milan, and Paris are leaders among this fierce industry that the world lusts after. Fashion can speak volumes about ones personality, or also about the condition the world is in at the time. In France, fashion changed rapidly and feverously as the times changed.