Schizophrenia: Treatment and Diagnosis

1181 Words3 Pages

Schizophrenia: Treatment and Diagnosis In 1809, physician John Haslam published an account of what he considered “A form of insanity”. Haslam described many symptoms that are relevant to modern day schizophrenia including delusions of grandeur and hallucinations. During the latter part of the nineteenth century, a German psychiatrist named Emil Kraepelin expanded on Haslam’s views and gave a more accurate description of schizophrenia as we know it today. Kraeplin started off by combining terms including different types of insanity under one term: Catatonia, and delusions of grandeur and persecution: paranoia. Kraepelin also separated dementia praecox from manic depressive illness, or bipolar disorder (Barlow, P.470). The term “Schizophrenia” was first coined by Eugen Bleuer, a psychiatrist from Switzerland. The term comes from the Greek words “skhizein” meaning “split” and “phren” meaning “mind”. Bleuer stated that beneath the signs of having the disorder, there was an associative splitting of the basic functions of personality. While Kraepelin focused on early onset and poor outcomes, Bleuer highlighted what he believed to be the universal underlying problem. However, the “split-mind” concept inspired the common, yet incorrect use of the term schizophrenia to mean split or multiple personality (Barlow, P.470-471). It is difficult to diagnose schizophrenia by looking at each symptom a person has. The symptoms of schizophrenia are split into two groups. Positive symptoms are behaviors that are based on distortions of normal functioning. Negative symptoms are behaviors that show a lack of normal functioning. Schizophrenia is said to have genetic causes and the most significant risk factor is having ... ... middle of paper ... ...ily or group counseling will help the patient step by step in overcoming the negative effects. While overcoming the side effects of schizophrenia may be difficult, it is possible to suppress them through acquiring the right help through professionals in the field, as well as family. Works Cited 1. Nancy C. Andreasen, (1985), Positive vs. Negative Schizophrenia: A Critical Evaluation, Schizophrenia Bulletin, 11, 380-389 2. Juan R. Bustillo, MD et al, (2001), The Psychosocial Treatment of Schizophrenia, American Journal of Psychiatry, 158, 163-175. 3. John H. Gilmore, MD. (2009), Understanding What Causes Schizophrenia: A Developmental Perspective, Psychiatry Online, 167, 8-10. 4. David H. Barlow (2012), Schizophrenia and Other Psychotic Disorders, Abnormal Psychology, 6, 468-500. 5. David B. Merrill, MD (2006), Clozapine Treatment, Psychiatry Online, 163, 204-208

More about Schizophrenia: Treatment and Diagnosis

Open Document