Understanding the Schizophrenic Mind
Understanding the Schizophrenic Mind and Coping with Their Behavior
Cynthia Farnworth
COM156
November 17, 2012
Monica Desir
Understanding the Schizophrenic Mind and Coping with Their Behavior
Schizophrenia affects more than 25 million people worldwide (Myers, 2010). Although the causes of schizophrenia are still under suspicion, well after many years of research, it is most certainly a disease of the brain. However, without a doctorate in psychiatry, one might be overwhelmed by all there is to know about the multiple effects of the disease. It is difficult enough to interpret the thoughts of another individual with absolute certainty, what is even more challenging is attempting to translate the thoughts of someone who has schizophrenia. Imagine watching your brother sitting on the porch arguing with someone, yet he is sitting all alone. For passers-by, the first reaction might be to say, “He is not playing with a full deck” or “what a nut case”, because to most people this is extremely strange behavior. However, this is exactly the peculiar behavior that friends and family members of schizophrenic patients are exposed to every day. Schizophrenia not only affects the person who has the mental illness, but also their family, friends, and loved ones. The average mind lacks understanding of the schizophrenic mind, only because they lack the knowledge and education necessary to understand and cope with their behavior. Exploring the differences between the normal brain and the schizophrenic brain is a major contributing factor for friends and family members to better understand why the schizophrenic mind functions differently than the average, healthy mind. Undoubtedly, the brain is a complex, intricate part of the human body, making this a challenging experience, especially for those who lack higher education. As provided in Surviving Schizophrenia, the bulk of the brain is made up of four major lobes which control functions such as thinking, muscle
Cynthia Farnworth
COM156
November 17, 2012
Monica Desir
Understanding the Schizophrenic Mind and Coping with Their Behavior
Schizophrenia affects more than 25 million people worldwide (Myers, 2010). Although the causes of schizophrenia are still under suspicion, well after many years of research, it is most certainly a disease of the brain. However, without a doctorate in psychiatry, one might be overwhelmed by all there is to know about the multiple effects of the disease. It is difficult enough to interpret the thoughts of another individual with absolute certainty, what is even more challenging is attempting to translate the thoughts of someone who has schizophrenia. Imagine watching your brother sitting on the porch arguing with someone, yet he is sitting all alone. For passers-by, the first reaction might be to say, “He is not playing with a full deck” or “what a nut case”, because to most people this is extremely strange behavior. However, this is exactly the peculiar behavior that friends and family members of schizophrenic patients are exposed to every day. Schizophrenia not only affects the person who has the mental illness, but also their family, friends, and loved ones. The average mind lacks understanding of the schizophrenic mind, only because they lack the knowledge and education necessary to understand and cope with their behavior. Exploring the differences between the normal brain and the schizophrenic brain is a major contributing factor for friends and family members to better understand why the schizophrenic mind functions differently than the average, healthy mind. Undoubtedly, the brain is a complex, intricate part of the human body, making this a challenging experience, especially for those who lack higher education. As provided in Surviving Schizophrenia, the bulk of the brain is made up of four major lobes which control functions such as thinking, muscle