PSY450 Psychological Disorder Schizophrenia

PSY450 Psychological Disorder Schizophrenia

Psychological disorders are also called mental disorders, which are abnormalities in the mind that result in behaviors that are disturbing to one’s daily functioning. There are many different kinds of psychological disorders, such as mood disorders, personality disorders, eating disorders, psychotic disorders, and sexual disorders. Causes for these types of disorders are not known for sure, but they are commonly associated with chemical imbalances in the brain or through genetics. Thankfully, there are some treatment options available to people with many of these disorders, which will give them a chance to have a healthy and typically normal life.
Schizophrenia is a psychotic disorder, also considered a severe brain disorder, that causes disturbed thoughts and behaviors. There is no actual known cause of schizophrenia, however researchers say that a combination of genetics, environmental factors, and chemical imbalances contribute to the disorder. An excess of dopamine can disrupt cognitive and emotional functioning which can result in schizophrenia. Stress, viral illness, or trauma at a young age could also be a reason for a person to develop this disorder. Schizophrenia typically starts in young adulthood, however it can start in early childhood as well. Schizophrenia is a lifelong and ongoing condition that needs a diagnosis and ongoing treatment.
Symptoms of schizophrenia can vary from negative to positive. Hallucinations, disorganized behavior, delusions, and difficulty thinking are some of the positive symptoms. Positive symptoms are usually a distortion of the normal functioning of a person. Negative symptoms are lack of interest in activities, lack of emotions, lack of motivation, lack of personal hygiene, social withdrawal, and the inability to perform daily tasks. People with schizophrenia have a difficult time with memory, focusing, and understanding. It can affect a persons mood leading to mood swings or depression. Any of the symptoms associated with schizophrenia can lead to complications such as self-destructive behaviors, health problems, suicide, family problems, drug and alcohol abuse, and heart disease.
The DSM-IV categorizes schizophrenia as a psychotic disorder that has many different types. There is a catatonic type, disorganized type, paranoid type, residual type, undifferentiated type, and schizophreniform disorder. There is no actual test that makes a diagnosis of this disorder, however the diagnosis comes from observable behaviors in the patients over time. “A diagnosis can be made if a person has schizophrenic symptoms for at least six months, is significantly impaired by the symptoms, and the symptoms can’t be explained by another illness or possible drug use” (WebMd. 2013). Luckily, when it comes to a diagnosis, there are different treatment options and medications that can help. Persons with this disorder will need ongoing treatment, even if no symptoms are present. Medications like antipsychotics can be given to regulate dopamine and serotonin. Therapy and rehabilitation have been successful methods of treatment.
Human Development and Socialization
The relationship between human development and schizophrenia is complex because it is not known for sure whether the disorder is just genetically linked or if there is environmental influences to blame. Common knowledge to most is that parental influences play a huge role in early childhood development. Children who are raised in an unstable environment, whose parents abuse drugs, or have parents who introduce them to unsavory people tend to have emotional disturbances. This kind of negative influence can be associated with the onset of schizophrenia where predisposition is already present. The biological view focuses on genetic factors that cause schizophrenia. Psychodynamic views focus on the way a parent or caregiver raises the child and if they nurture the child enough. The cognitive view believes in the biological perspective and how the brain will react to a stimulus. Sociocultural theorists believe that society, culture, and family will influence this disorder.
Conclusion
“Despite the assumed biological causes, social conditions can and do affect the course of schizophrenia” (Shiraev & Levy, 2010, p. 235). Schizophrenia is said to be more common in men than in women and has different rates among different countries. Each culture has its own variation of the disorder as well as a different way to look at the symptoms. Access to hospitals is another difference among countries when it comes to the rates of schizophrenia. Sadly, this is a long time disorder that one cannot escape once they have it.

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