Psychiatric Disorders, Diseases, and Drugs
Psychiatric Disorders, Diseases, and Drugs
Marah Lacey-Woods
PSY/240
05/05/2013
Dr. RAYMOND MC CLENEN
Psychiatric Disorders, Diseases, and Drugs
Schizophrenia is a chronic, severe, and disabling brain disorder that has affected people throughout history. Schizophrenia is a group of severe brain disorders in which people interpret reality abnormally. Schizophrenia may result in some combination of hallucinations, delusions, and disordered thinking and behavior. About one percent of Americans have this illness. People with the disorder may hear voices other people don 't hear. Contrary to some popular belief, schizophrenia isn 't split personality or multiple personality. The word "schizophrenia" does mean "split mind," but it refers to a disruption of the usual balance of emotions and thinking. They may believe other people are reading their minds, controlling their thoughts, or plotting to harm them. This can terrify people with the illness and make them withdrawn or extremely agitated. People with schizophrenia may not make sense when they talk. They may sit for hours without moving or talking. Sometimes people with schizophrenia seem perfectly fine until they talk about what they are really thinking. Families and society are affected by schizophrenia too. Many people with schizophrenia have difficulty holding a job or caring for them selves, so they rely on others for help. Treatment helps relieve many symptoms of schizophrenia, but most people who have the disorder cope with symptoms throughout their lives. However, many people with schizophrenia can lead rewarding and meaningful lives in their communities. Researchers are developing more effective medications and using new research tools to understand the causes of schizophrenia. In the years to come, this work may help prevent and better treat the illness. Schizophrenia symptoms also can be attributed to other mental illnesses, and no one symptom can pinpoint a diagnosis of
Marah Lacey-Woods
PSY/240
05/05/2013
Dr. RAYMOND MC CLENEN
Psychiatric Disorders, Diseases, and Drugs
Schizophrenia is a chronic, severe, and disabling brain disorder that has affected people throughout history. Schizophrenia is a group of severe brain disorders in which people interpret reality abnormally. Schizophrenia may result in some combination of hallucinations, delusions, and disordered thinking and behavior. About one percent of Americans have this illness. People with the disorder may hear voices other people don 't hear. Contrary to some popular belief, schizophrenia isn 't split personality or multiple personality. The word "schizophrenia" does mean "split mind," but it refers to a disruption of the usual balance of emotions and thinking. They may believe other people are reading their minds, controlling their thoughts, or plotting to harm them. This can terrify people with the illness and make them withdrawn or extremely agitated. People with schizophrenia may not make sense when they talk. They may sit for hours without moving or talking. Sometimes people with schizophrenia seem perfectly fine until they talk about what they are really thinking. Families and society are affected by schizophrenia too. Many people with schizophrenia have difficulty holding a job or caring for them selves, so they rely on others for help. Treatment helps relieve many symptoms of schizophrenia, but most people who have the disorder cope with symptoms throughout their lives. However, many people with schizophrenia can lead rewarding and meaningful lives in their communities. Researchers are developing more effective medications and using new research tools to understand the causes of schizophrenia. In the years to come, this work may help prevent and better treat the illness. Schizophrenia symptoms also can be attributed to other mental illnesses, and no one symptom can pinpoint a diagnosis of
References: schizophrenia.com. (1996-2009). Retrieved from http://www.schizophrenia.com/ Schizophrenia Health Center. (2005-2013). Retrieved from http://www.webmd.com/schizophrenia/guide/mental-health-schizophrenia?page=5 Biopsychology, Eighth Edition, by John P.J. Pinel. Published by Allyn & Bacon. Copyright © 2011 by Pearson Education, Inc.