Analyzing Psychological Disorders
Analyzing Psychological Disorders
Tammy Richards
PSY/240
October 10, 2012
Rose Ann King, PhD
Diagnosing psychiatric diseases or disorders can be very difficult. Because of this, diagnosis is usually done by determining the symptoms of each patient and comparing them to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of the American Psychiatric Association, DSM-IV-TR. Schizophrenia is one of those disorders. The areas of the brain that are affected by this disorder are the forebrain, hindbrain and limbic system.
The cerebrum, thalamus, and hypothalamus makes up the forebrain. This is the top part and largest section of the brain. It has four divisions or lobes, which are the limbic system, thalamus, hypothalamus and corpus callosum. This part of the brain controls cognition, which involves thinking, knowing, learning, and judging. It also controls the function of the senses and motor skills, regulation of temperature, reproduction, hunger, sleep cycle, and emotional expression. This is where the thoughts get all jumbled, which creates delusional thinking. This is called a positive symptom of schizophrenia. In addition, the overproduction of dopamine occurs. This causes a decrease in glutamate and neural activity. The temporal lobe controls hearing and the identification of objects and faces. When a person has schizophrenia, the hearing and identification becomes chaotic. This can cause the person to hear voices and have hallucinations.
The cerebellum, pons and medulla makes up the hindbrain. This is the bottom part of the brain. It manages motor skills, posture, balance, and blood circulation. When a person has schizophrenia, the person’s motor skills and balance may be affected. They may even become catatonic and not be responsive to anything within their environment.
The thalamus, hypothalamus, amygdala, and hippocampus makes up the limbic system. The limbic system is located within the brain. It regulates emotions, memories, learning, and
Tammy Richards
PSY/240
October 10, 2012
Rose Ann King, PhD
Diagnosing psychiatric diseases or disorders can be very difficult. Because of this, diagnosis is usually done by determining the symptoms of each patient and comparing them to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of the American Psychiatric Association, DSM-IV-TR. Schizophrenia is one of those disorders. The areas of the brain that are affected by this disorder are the forebrain, hindbrain and limbic system.
The cerebrum, thalamus, and hypothalamus makes up the forebrain. This is the top part and largest section of the brain. It has four divisions or lobes, which are the limbic system, thalamus, hypothalamus and corpus callosum. This part of the brain controls cognition, which involves thinking, knowing, learning, and judging. It also controls the function of the senses and motor skills, regulation of temperature, reproduction, hunger, sleep cycle, and emotional expression. This is where the thoughts get all jumbled, which creates delusional thinking. This is called a positive symptom of schizophrenia. In addition, the overproduction of dopamine occurs. This causes a decrease in glutamate and neural activity. The temporal lobe controls hearing and the identification of objects and faces. When a person has schizophrenia, the hearing and identification becomes chaotic. This can cause the person to hear voices and have hallucinations.
The cerebellum, pons and medulla makes up the hindbrain. This is the bottom part of the brain. It manages motor skills, posture, balance, and blood circulation. When a person has schizophrenia, the person’s motor skills and balance may be affected. They may even become catatonic and not be responsive to anything within their environment.
The thalamus, hypothalamus, amygdala, and hippocampus makes up the limbic system. The limbic system is located within the brain. It regulates emotions, memories, learning, and
References: Anxiety and Depression Association of America. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.adaa.org/about-adaa/press-room/facts-statistics Medline Plus. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000764.htm National Institute of Mental Health. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/schizophrenia/what-causes-schizophrenia.shtml Pinel, J. P. J. (2011). Biopsychology (8th Ed.). Retrieved from The University of Phoenix eBook Collection database.