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Schizophrenia Overview
Schizophrenia is a mental disorder that impacts many people of today. It can cause an
individual to have varies problems when trying to comprehend what is real and what is not.
According to Birnbaum and other researchers say that schizophrenia is a serious neuropsychiatric
disorder with a long-established record of neurobiological investigation (Birnbaum, et al.,2018).
This disorder can be recognized in an individual as early as adulthood. Schizophrenia can
occur in different ethnic backgrounds and parts of the world. In our textbook it states that it is
more common in men than women. In men it can be more severe and have an earlier onset which
can be seen in the teens and early 20s. However, in women it can be seen in mid or late 20s.
Studies has been led to indicate schizophrenia could be hereditary. If an individual is
closely related to someone who has been diagnosed with Schizophrenia, then they could most
likely have the mental disorder as well. After all, people with Schizophrenia have a lower
fertility than those who doesn’t have it (Hevual, et al.,2019).
History of Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia was initially called dementia praecox which is Latin for premature mental
deterioration (Kalat,2019). In 1911 Eugen Bleuler proposed to call the mental disorder
schizophrenia which is Greek for split minds. In other words, there is a split between the
individuals emotional and intellectual manner of an experience (Berger, et al.,2018). For an
example someone with schizophrenia would react to a situation that is different from what is
norm.
Diagnosis of Schizophrenia
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There are other mental disorders that have similar symptoms to schizophrenia. Such
disorders are brain damage, Huntington’s disease, and substance abuse. When diagnosing an
individual with schizophrenia there is no clinical testing but are some common tests such as
blood testing, urine sample, and scans of the brain to rule out drug use and neurological
disorders.
To be diagnosis with schizophrenia the doctor looks for signs and symptoms of an
individual to have delusions, hallucinations, disorderly speech, and exhibit an impaired
capability to function for at least 6 months (Kalat, 2019). These symptoms are also divided into
positive and negative. Positive symptoms relate to characteristics added to an individual state of
being whereas a negative symptom is when characteristics are removed from the individual state
of being (Pearson,2018).
Causes and Treatment of Schizophrenia
There is no noted cause of schizophrenia, but studies have shown relations to
genetics, brain chemistry and environmental factors playing a role in the development of this
disorder. As for treating schizophrenia it will be a lifetime even though symptoms can die down.
Drug therapy is the go-to treatment for schizophrenia and antipsychotic medications is the drug
of choice to help manage signs and symptoms. Along with drug therapy an individual can attend
therapy, self-care, nutrition, and maintain over all health to control their schizophrenic episodes.
Left untreated can lead to more serious health issues but also can be a danger to themselves and
to society.
Biblical Perspective of Schizophrenia
Living with this mental disorder is not easy task and can be overwhelming not only for
the individual but for the family that is there for support. Then it’s the individuals that ignore the
signs and symptoms because of shame, financial reasons and other personal factors. Isaiah 41:10
states “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am God. I will strengthen you
and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous hand” (NIV). This verse gives us the
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reassurance and encouragement to not be timid of whatever circumstances that might be taken
place in our life that we must always trust in him and in return he will give us the strength to
overcome. We may not always know how, why, when and where but remembering that putting
our trust in God will get you through each time.
Conclusion
Schizophrenia is a severe mental disorder that can alter an individual’s ability to think,
feel, and behave clearly. This disease does not discriminate when it comes seeing individuals
being diagnosed with it but is mainly seen in males. It’s a must that the individual is properly
diagnosed in order to make sure that they are getting the recommended treatment. Which not be
properly treated can lead to issues for the individual and other that may are in contact.
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Reference
Berger, M., Juster, R. P., Westphal, S., Amminger, G. P., Bogerts, B., Schiltz, K., Bahn, S., Steiner, J., &
Sarnyai, Z. (2018). Allostatic load is associated with psychotic symptoms and decreases with
antipsychotic treatment in patients with schizophrenia and first-episode
psychosis.Psychoneuroendocrinology,90, 35–42. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psyneuen.2018.02.001
Birnbaum, R., & Weinberger, D. R. (2017). Genetic insights into the neurodevelopmental origins of
schizophrenia.Nature reviews. Neuroscience,18(12), 727–740. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrn.2017.125
Kalat, J. W. (2019).Biological Psychology(13th ed.). Cengage. ISBN: 9780357096345.
Peterson, T. (2018, March 28). Difference Between Positive and Negative Symptoms of
Schizophrenia, Healthy Place. Retrieved on 2022, October 10 from
https://www.healthyplace.com/thought-disorders/schizophrenia-symptoms/difference-between-
positive-and-negative-symptoms-of-schizophrenia
The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by
Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
van den Heuvel, M. P., Scholtens, L. H., de Lange, S. C., Pijnenburg, R., Cahn, W., van Haren, N.,
Sommer, I. E., Bozzali, M., Koch, K., Boks, M. P., Repple, J., Pievani, M., Li, L., Preuss, T. M., &
Rilling, J. K. (2019). Evolutionary modifications in human brain connectivity associated with
schizophrenia.Brain : a journal of neurology,142(12), 3991–4002. https://doi.org/10.1093/brain/awz330
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