Schizophrenia: Explained And Treatments

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Schizophrenia: Explained and Treatments

Schizophrenia: Explained and Treatments

Jeffrey A. Hurt
Professor Leary
Abnormal Psychology 203
2 May 1996

Schizophrenia is a devastating brain disorder affecting people worldwide of all
ages, races, and economic levels. It causes personality disintegration and loss
of contact with reality (Sinclair). It is the most common psychosis and it is
estimated that one percent of the U.S. population will be diagnosed with it over
the course of their lives (Torrey 2). Recognition of this disease dates back to
the 1800's when Emil Kraepelin concluded after a comprehensive study of
thousands of patients that a "state of dementia was supposed to follow
precociously or soon after the onset of the illness." Eugene Bleuler, a famous
Swiss psychiatrist, coined the term "schizophrenia," referring to what he called
the "splitting of the various psychic functions" (Honig 209-211). Having a
"split personality" is often incorrectly associated with schizophrenia.
Possessing multiple personalities on different occasions is a form of neurosis
vice psychosis (Chapman). Symptoms most commonly associated with schizophrenia
include delusions, hallucinations, and thought disorder (Torrey 1). Delusions
are irrational ideas, routinely absurd and outlandish. A patient may believe
that he or she is possessed of great wealth, intellect, importance or power.
Sometimes the patient may think he is George Washington or another great
historical person (Chapman). Hallucinations are common, particularly auditory,
as voices in the third person or commenting upon the patient's thoughts and
actions (Arieti). Persons may also hear music or see nonexistent images
(Sinclair). Schizophrenic thought disorder is the diminished ability to think
clearly and logically (Torrey 2). Many times, schizophrenics invent new words
(called neologisms) with unique meanings (Chapman). Often it is apparent by
disconnected and meaningless language that renders the person incapable of
participating in conversation and contributing to his alienation from his family,
friends, and society (Torrey 2). There appears to be three major subtypes of
Schizophrenia: paranoid, hebephrenic, and catatonic. Delusions, often of
prosecution, are prominent in the paranoid type (Arieti). Hebephrenic
schizophrenia is characterized by thought disorder, chaotic language, silliness,
and giggling (Eysenck, Arnold, and Meili 961-962). In the catatonic form, the
person may sit, stand, or lie

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