Characteristics and Symptoms of Schizophrenia

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Schizophrenia

Thousands of people all over the world have disabilities. Schizophrenia is only one of the many disabilities that people face. Merriam-Webster’s dictionary states that Schizophrenia is “a psychotic disorder characterized by loss of contact with the environment, by noticeable deterioration in the level of functioning in everyday life, and by disintegration of personality” (par 1). Schizophrenia is a serious disorder that affects all people, young or old, black or white, male or female. Individuals with Schizophrenia have many obstacles and hardships that they have to overcome. Although there is an unfair stigma fueled by Hollywood, with the correct treatment and therapy, schizophrenics can lead full and successful lives.

Schizophrenia was discovered in Switzerland by Swiss psychiatrist Eugen Bleuler who Dr. Ann Pulver says, “first coined the term “schizophrenia” in 1911” (par 5). Schizophrenia in Greek means split mind. Bleuler called the disorder that to describe the thinking process of those with Schizophrenia. Although, schizophrenics do not have two different minds or conflicting personalities as the name might suggest, the term schizophrenia contributes to the many misconceptions surrounding Schizophrenia.

In addition to the term Schizophrenia, Hollywood is a main factor in the confusion about schizophrenics. In many movies and television shows schizophrenics are depicted as violent killers who go off on rampages murdering anyone they can get their hands on. Individuals with the disorder are also shown as being locked up in a mental hospital for the rest of their lives. Whereas, in reality, schizophrenics are rarely ever violent. In fact according to the National Institute of Mental Health, “most v...

... middle of paper ...

...alve for Schizophrenia”. Scientific American Mind. Mar/Apr

2013, Vol 24 Issue 1: p. 62-67.

Langwith, J.L. “Perspectives on Diseases and Disorders: Schizophrenia”. 1st. Michigan: Gale

Cengage Learning. 2011. Print

Mayo Clinic Staff. “Schizophrenia”. Mayo Clinic. 2012. Mayo Clinic Foundation for Medical

Education and Research. 2 April 2013.

Pulver, D.A. “Schizophrenia” Johns Hopkins Medicine. 2007. The Johns Hopkins University. 19

April 2013.

“Schizophrenia”. Merriam-webster. 2012. Britannica Organization. 9 May 2013.

“Schizophrenia”. National Institute of Mental Health. 2012. National Institute of Mental Health.

2 April 2013.

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