Schizophrenia :: essays research papers

Schizophrenia     WHAT IS SCHIZOPHRENIA? What does the term schizophrenia mean? In itsmost elementary sense, we might say that schizophrenia is a disease, inventedby Eugene Bleeder. Eugene Bleeder was one of the most influential psychiatristsof his time. He is best cognize today for his introduction of the termschizophrenia, previously known as dementedness praecox. In actuality, schizophreniais very much used generically and inappropriately as it is often applied to almostany kind of unusual demeanor of which the speaker disapproves. Schizophrenia isalmost universally viewed as the "classic simulation of madness" . It is astartling and sometimes frightening experience to by luck come across aperson who proclaims himself Jesus Christ, rants gibberish, or sits with his consistence unmoving as if frozen in time and place. For some people, such(prenominal) anexperience is too shocking, too fearsome, too repulsive. They hurry away, tryingto clear the im age of the deranged individual from their minds.No other illness is as disabling and baffling as schizophrenia. Today,in spite of the drugs that have allowed some schizophrenics to live at home orin the community, a crucial number of people admitted to mental hospitalsare victims of the disease. According to the Encyclopedia Of Health,schizophrenics greenback for nearly 40% of admissions to state mental hospitals,30% of psychiatric admissions to Veterans arrangement hospitals, and about20% of admissions to private psychiatric hospitals. Schizophrenia is incurable.Its cause or causes are yet unknown, and it is impossible to predict what coursethe disease willing take. There are many theories about the causes of schizophrenia,its progression, and its eventual outcome. They are shortly being explored byresearchers around the world.     Schizophrenias most dramatic symptoms are strict and perpetualdelusions and hallucinations. A delusion is a false belief or id ea that logicand reason show to be "crazy". A hallucination is seeing, hearing , or sensingsomething that is not there. Both symptoms elapse in other mental illnesses, butthe content of the schizophrenic delusions is often distinct enough that theexperienced psychiatrist or clinical psychologist back readily identify thedisorder.Another common characteristic of this disabling disease is thedisjointed conversation of its victims. Their discourse often consists of aseries of subdued statements strung together in an incoherent manner. Listenersare left bedevil by what they have heard and this can be attributed to theunevenness of the schizophrenics utter patterns. To one degree or another,schizophrenics display a certain lethargy or nonchalance regarding what ishappening around them. Their whole emotional spotter is deadened, and they showlittle or no warmth toward others.