African Americans And Schizophrenia Case Study
In today’s society, there are various issues occurring daily that effect large communities. These issues arise because the populations are either oppressed, or uneducated of the consequences of these issues. One of the issues that currently needs to be addressed is that of schizophrenia in people of color. Currently, the representation of African Americans with schizophrenia is much greater than that of those who are not. Presently, individuals of color who are admitted to hospitals across the world have a higher rate of being admitted with schizophrenia. In fact, they are actually two to five times more likely to enter the hospital with a schizophrenia diagnosis than those who are not of color (Barnes, 2013). This is a large issue as
it seems as though there is no consideration for the possible comorbidities of schizophrenia. The culture of people of color is very different from those of individuals who come from primarily Caucasian culture, and the bias there could be the source of the black population representing a larger portion of schizophrenic individuals (Barnes, 2013). Another potential reason for the over diagnosis of schizophrenia is that of the under diagnosis of mood disorder. In various studies, it appears that Caucasian individuals will be more likely to receive the diagnosis of mood disorder than those who are of color (Barnes, 2013). In the study, the author researched four types of hospitals that take in clients with mental disorders, and for the most of them the findings are consistent to indicate that the lack of diagnosing mood disorders has a correlation with a misrepresentation of schizophrenia in people of color (Barnes, 2013). Overall, the research produced by the author’s article indicates that there is a high rate of black individuals who are over diagnosed with schizophrenia. According to the author, this is not likely that this is a correct rate, but in fact is a misrepresentation as there is a large under diagnosing of mood disorder (Barnes, 2013). People of color account for too large of the population that are reportedly diagnosed with schizophrenia, and in order to determine if this is an accurate finding, it will be important to pursue more research to confirm the likelihood that the over diagnosis is occurring.
it seems as though there is no consideration for the possible comorbidities of schizophrenia. The culture of people of color is very different from those of individuals who come from primarily Caucasian culture, and the bias there could be the source of the black population representing a larger portion of schizophrenic individuals (Barnes, 2013). Another potential reason for the over diagnosis of schizophrenia is that of the under diagnosis of mood disorder. In various studies, it appears that Caucasian individuals will be more likely to receive the diagnosis of mood disorder than those who are of color (Barnes, 2013). In the study, the author researched four types of hospitals that take in clients with mental disorders, and for the most of them the findings are consistent to indicate that the lack of diagnosing mood disorders has a correlation with a misrepresentation of schizophrenia in people of color (Barnes, 2013). Overall, the research produced by the author’s article indicates that there is a high rate of black individuals who are over diagnosed with schizophrenia. According to the author, this is not likely that this is a correct rate, but in fact is a misrepresentation as there is a large under diagnosing of mood disorder (Barnes, 2013). People of color account for too large of the population that are reportedly diagnosed with schizophrenia, and in order to determine if this is an accurate finding, it will be important to pursue more research to confirm the likelihood that the over diagnosis is occurring.