Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a brain disease that is severe, chronic and disabling. The causes are complex and it has been a baffling disease. However, new research is getting closer to solving the puzzle of how to treat this severe disorder. This essay will cover the types of schizophrenia, the causes and the latest treatments. (Schizophrenia.com 2006)

Types of Schizophrenia

• Paranoid Schizophrenia - This is the most common form of Schizophrenia. The symptoms include suspicion, hallucinations, delusions and grandiose fear of persecution. (Schizophrenia.com 2006)
• Disorganized Schizophrenia (Hebephrenic Schizophrenia) -This disorder does not usually have hallucinations but the subject may be verbally incoherent and out of context with emotions or moods. (Schizophrenia.com 2006)
• Catatonic Schizophrenia - This is perhaps the most severe of the different types. The patient is withdrawn and may have psychomotor disturbances. (Schizophrenia.com 2006)
• Residual Schizophrenia - In this case, the person is not currently suffering from delusions, hallucinations, or disorganized speech and behavior, but lacks motivation and interest in day-to-day living. (Schizophrenia.com 2006)
• Schizoaffective Disorder - These people have symptoms of schizophrenia as well as mood disorder such as major depression, bipolar mania, or mixed mania.
• Undifferentiated Schizophrenia - This type of schizophrenia may generally have the other types of schizophrenic symptoms but none of them is dominant enough to have a clear diagnosis. (Schizophrenia.com 2006)

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The Diagnosis of Schizophrenia

At this time, there is no test that concludes without a doubt that a person is schizophrenic. The diagnosis is usually done by a psychiatrist who bases the judgment on clinical symptoms. However, physical testing does help in that it rules out other diseases, which might cause similar symptoms such as thyroid dysfunction, brain tumors or substance abuse. (Schizophrenia.com 2006)

There is new research going on to gauge physical diagnostic tests. These tests include a blood test, a special IQ test (specific for schizophrenia), eye-tracking, and brain imaging. However, these tests are not yet in use by hospitals. (Schizophrenia.com 2006)

Causes

According to Morris and Maisto (2005) in studies done, there is a clear indication that schizophrenia has a genetic cause. A person who has schizophrenia is more likely to have offspring that are schizophrenic. Studies have shown this hereditary relation even when foster parents bring up children. Another indication is in the case of identical twins, if one twin has schizophrenia then there is about a fifty percent chance that the other twin will also develop the disease. Research also points to the possibility that irregular regulation of the neurotransmitter dopamine may cause buildups of this hormone in critical areas of the brain. Drugs that have proven to stop schizophrenic symptoms also lower the amount of dopamine in the brain. On the other hand, amphetamines do the exact opposite and raise the levels of dopamine causing the symptoms to worsen. Excessive doses of amphetamines can cause amphetamine psychosis, a state very much like schizophrenia.

Morris and Maisto (2005) further explain there have been other findings from studies such as a difference in the pattern of connections between cortical cells. Cortical cells generate during the prenatal period suggesting a link between some prenatal problem and schizophrenia. However, this finding is inconclusive since the differences are minimal and studies of identical twins show that sometimes the well twin has more abnormalities than the schizophrenic twin.

Morris and Maisto (2005) contend as compelling as the genetic cause of schizophrenia may be; biological damage, disturbed families, or the abuse of drugs must also be taken into consideration. Families that express emotions in a negative fashion have high rates of going back into the hospital while treatment of this emotional expression has lessened the need for re-hospitalization. Theorists believe a combination of factors is the most likely explanation for the cause of schizophrenia.

Treatments

According to Schizophrenia.com (2006) medications are used in almost all patients with schizophrenia. Antipsychotic drugs work to control psychotic episodes and many patients take these along with anti-depressants or mood-stabilizers. Medications control symptoms or help improve conditions in about seventy percent of patients. There is no one wonder drug unfortunately and patients usually have to experiment with different drugs to find what the best is for them. In addition, some drugs may have negative side effects. Many medications are currently under study.

Schizophrenia.com (2006) reports therapy is also a treatment for patients. Many families use supplemental therapies like psychosocial or cognitive therapy, rehabilitation day programs, peer support groups and nutritional supplements. These supplemental therapies are used with their medications. Another therapy is electroconvulsive treatment (ECT) which is more commonly known as electric shock therapy. In addition, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a form of treatment. There are also treatments to use in conjunction with medication, which includes personal therapies, ingestion of amino acids and antioxidant vitamins along with a good diet. However, studies have shown that therapy alone will not substitute medication, but in conjunction with medication may be more effective than medication alone.

Conclusion

Knowledge about the causes and treatment for schizophrenia is growing day by day. Certainly, there is a long way to go, but treatment with different kinds of therapy along with medication is showing promising results. The causes are elusive but studies of genetic and environmental factors are giving researchers hope for the improvement of treatment. There are now ways to treat schizophrenia and there is support for those with schizophrenia and their families. This is a vast improvement to the days of no hope and no help.

Reference

Morris C.G., Maisto A.A. (2005), Psychology: an introduction, Twelfth edition, Prentice-Hall, Copyright 2005 by Pearson Education

Schizophrenia.com (2006) Schizophrenia in-depth, copyright 1996-2006 Schizophrenia.com. All Rights Reserved, Retrieved May 14, 2007 from http://www.schizophrenia.com/index.php