1 Running Head; Broken Minds Broken Minds Final Writing Assignment PSYC-2301-161 Professor Amna Saiyed 14 December 2018 Broken Minds 2 Broken Minds “Schizophrenia is a chronic brain disorder that affects less than one percent of the U.S. population.” (Parekh, 2017) An individual with this disorder has lost touch with reality. Symptoms of this disorder include delusions, hallucinations, lack of emotions, social withdrawal, memory impairment, lack of motivation and impair cognition. There is no cure for schizophrenia, only treating the symptoms help patients they rehabilitate. “The term ‘schizophrenia’ was coined in 1910 by the Swiss psychiatrist Paul Eugen Bleuler, and is derived from the Greek words ‘schizo’ (split) and ‘phren’ (mind).” (Burton, 2012). Schizophrenia. Accounts of this disorder can be traced back thousands of years often being mistaken by demonic possessions and/or Devine punishment. These accounts come from ancient Egyptian skeletal remains with holes in their skulls, hinting towards treatment towards mental illness; ancient Greek physicians and philosophers who theorize that madness was an illness and/or a curse. More accounts can be found in the Old Testament, The First Book of Samuel, in the Middle Ages when Mental illnesses started to be treated and in modern days. An example of modern days is when schizophrenia was misdiagnosed with a split personality disorder. A split personality disorder is a disorder in which a person has two or more different personalities that control a person's behavior. In schizophrenia, the delusions can be confused with different voices that speak to the patient, with this misconception it is evident to see how the physician can confuse the disorders. Schizophrenia is defined by its symptoms and how it modifies an individual's behavior. “A delusion is when you see and feel ants crawling all over you. A psychotic episode is when are the Aunt.” (Ephrem Fernandez), both of the symptoms that professor Fernandez gave Broken Minds 3 example for are Schizophrenic symptoms. Schizophrenic symptoms are classified into three different categories: positive symptoms, negative symptoms and cognitive deficient symptoms. Positive symptoms include hallucinations, delusions, disorganize thoughts. A positive symptom is an addition to the patient’s behavior something that is not normally present in them. (Seyed, 2018). Negative symptoms include lack of emotions, reduce speech, decrease the ability to feel pleasure and social withdrawal. Negative symptoms are a lack of the individual’s day to day performs such as social interactions, ability performance and enjoyment of life. (Seyed, 2018). cognitive deficient symptoms include forgetfulness, attention deficit, trouble planning, and decision making. Symptoms can be present on schizophrenic patients from early teen years the too late thirties. “Diagnosis of schizophrenia involves ruling out other mental health disorders and determining that symptoms are not due to substance abuse, medication or a medical condition.”(Mayo Clinic Staff, 2018). Diagnosis includes physical exams, tests and screenings, and a psychiatric evaluation. Physical exams are done to exclude any physiological reason that may be causing the symptoms. Test and screening are done to rule out rule out conditions with due to addictive substances such as alcohol and drugs. More in-depth test such as MRI or CT scan can be requested during the diagnosis. A psychiatric evaluation in the diagnosis is included so that a “ [a] doctor or mental health professional checks mental status by observing appearance and demeanor and asking about thoughts, moods, delusions, hallucinations, substance use, and potential for violence or suicide. This also includes a discussion of family and personal history.” (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2018). There is no cure for schizophrenia, only treating the symptoms of the patient can improve their day to day life. Medication, psychological treatment, and social skill improvement Broken Minds 4 treatments are normally used to treat patient symptoms. “Antipsychotic medication diminishes the thought disorder and disruptive behavior evident in schizophrenia” (Seyed, 2018). Antipsychotic medication may help the patient’s behavior but cause unpleasant side effects. Psychological treatment helps patients with “cognitive behavioral therapy or supportive psychotherapy may reduce symptoms and enhance function.” (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2018). Social skill improvement helps patients not be withdrawn from other people, help them speak freely and enjoy life. In conclusion, schizophrenia is a very serious mental disorder that has been misdiagnosing from ancient time to modern ones. Symptoms of schizophrenia prevent the patient from living a normal day to day life and lose touch with reality. There is no cure for schizophrenia, but treatments can help the patient recover normalcy and improve their lives. Broken Minds 5 References Amna Saiyed, (2018) Chapter 15 - Psychological Disorders [Powerpoint slides]. Retrieved from https://alamo.instructure.com/courses/1178804/files/137396790?module_item_id=11768922 Burton, N., M.D. (2012, September 08). A Brief History of Schizophrenia. Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/hide-and-seek/201209/brief-history-schizophrenia Kaplan, H. I., & Sadok, B. J. (2004). Misdiagnosis of Schizophrenia. Retrieved from http://schizophrenia.com/family/misdiag.html?fbclid=IwAR20fdWnCaiym-HTk56kuyHU5cJzaJY5-PfVhA6XVRwc3OVmm4NOpQg-7s Excerpt From Harold I. Kaplan and Benjamin J. Sadock, eds., Comprehensive Textbook of Psychiatry, 6th edition (Baltimore: Williams & Wilkins, 1995). Parekh, R., M.D. (2017, July). Schizophrenia. Retrieved from https://www.psychiatry.org/patientsfamilies/schizophrenia/what-isschizophrenia?fbclid=IwAR3cQ0tmd1k5LVHjmvQ4v67OZVGIdV8MoGWEn45DpGTQINKfL uJ2Oi28DDA Mayo, Clinic Staff. Schizophrenia. (2018, April 10). Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/schizophrenia/diagnosis-treatment/drc20354449
