Schizophrenia it Is Literally One

Schizophrenia

It is literally one of the strangest and most difficult to understand mental illnesses (Sass 1). The name taken from the Greek means the split mind, and is the product of two words of "schizo" which means split and "phrene" which means mind. This term attempts to describe the condition of a person who suffers from schizophrenia, it infers that the mind is divided. Recent definitions of schizophrenia attempt to provide a more precise delineation of this mental illness but this has remained elusive. The range of symptoms associated with the disease is diverse, thus it is possible to confuse it with other illnesses. For the many suffers with this illness renewed effort is needed to bridge the chasm to produce a cure.

Hollingshead suggests that from 1900 six different theories have been advanced as explanations of schizophrenia (7). These theories range from pathological lesions in the brain, which was posited by Noguchi, to biochemical explanations. Other researchers have advanced genetic arguments to explain the development of schizophrenia (Hedgecoe 877). Attempts have been made to combine various theories to produce a coherent explanation as in sociogenic and psychogenic explanations. The result of the profusion of theorizing is confusion, and we are still unaware of the actual causes of schizophrenia. It is evident from the literature that explicating schizophrenia is a complex and complicated task.

The lack of a precise definition and causal factors means that researchers have to resort to classification systems to categorize and describe the illness. Classification is based predominantly on the observation of correlated symptoms. Additionally the illness is more prevalent in low-income groups than high-income groups. Adults appear to be more greatly affected than children are ( Tietze et al. 174). Schizophrenia is divided into five categories, disorganized, catatonic, paranoid, residual, and undifferentiated

Disorganized schizophrenia is distinguished by the behavior and the speech of the individual being disorganized. There is little emotional display or the emotions may be incongruent for the particular setting. Within the classification for disorganized schizophrenia, there are behaviors that can be attributed to persons who suffer from catatonic schizophrenia but the set of behaviors are not complete enough to diagnose the individual as catatonic.

The second category is paranoid schizophrenia. The set of behaviors that comprise paranoid schizophrenia are primarily delusions. The delusions include hearing voices and other sensory manifestation. The voices may make statements on the behavior of the individual. They may command them to do specific things or talk between themselves. The conversation is usually relates to issues involving the affected person. As a result, the individual become anxious and suspicious of others. The paranoid schizophrenic has the highest level of social functioning amongst all types of schizophrenia.

The persons who suffer from the third category of schizophrenia catatonic schizophrenia have a wide range of behavioral manifestations. A list of possible behaviors is used to identify this type of schizophrenia. If there is the manifestation of two or more of the symptoms from the list then catatonic schizophrenia may be advanced as a possible diagnosis. The list of symptoms includes bizarre behavior, mannerisms, or posture. Additionally muscular immobility, stupor, mutism, echolalia, and echopraxia are also symptoms of the mental illness (Hedgecoe 876). There are also persons whose behavior cannot legitimately be classified as paranoid, disorganized or catatonic. These persons are usually categorized as having undifferentiated schizophrenia. Undifferentiated schizophrenia functions as an umbrella term that captures behaviors that cannot easily be classified otherwise. The majority of persons diagnosed with schizophrenia have undifferentiated schizophrenia.

The final category of schizophrenia relates to persons who may have been initially diagnosed with another type of schizophrenia but their symptoms have diminished severity. The person is still schizophrenic but they are not as pronounced in their behavior. They are described as having negative behaviors, which include hallucinations, odd or unusual beliefs, delusional thinking, distorted sensory perceptions, and disorganized speech. The persons in this category also display behaviors that cut across the other categories of schizophrenia.

The diagnosis of schizophrenia also contains some ambiguity and imprecision. The complexity of the process requires a multipronged approach to diagnosis. Schizophrenia may be determined after a clinical examination of the patient that involves a consideration of the presenting symptoms, the emotional history of the patient, their family history, and a consideration of other possible disorders. Frequently it is not possible to diagnose the illness during the first assessment and follow up assessments are required.

In the follow up sessions, the physician seeks to establish that there is a reliable pattern of behavior displayed by the individual. The behavior needs to be intense and occur over a protracted period. The physician will usually pay specific attention to negative symptoms. The objective at this stage is to differentiate the person's illness from other possible conditions. There are psychotic disorders, biological issues and conditions induced pharmacological substances that present similar symptoms. Before providing any treatment, it is an imperative to make this distinction.

Providing a diagnosis for schizophrenia is made more perplexing because of the nature of the illness (Turner 365). Mood related changes are very similar to illnesses such a bipolar disorder. The difference being the intensity of the changes themselves, so they do not meet the threshold required for the extensive mania or depression associated with bipolar disorder. Additionally the changes in mood are highly variable, occurring throughout the several stages of the illness. This mood variability can resemble schizoaffective disorder.

Many persons experience brief psychotic disorders. While the symptoms are very similar to schizophrenia, there are major differences. The psychotic disorder is of limited duration generally the symptoms will exist for no more than one month. Additionally, it is possible to identify some specific event or act that would have triggered the observed behavior.

Some medical conditions mimic the symptoms that are observed in schizophrenic patients. In situations where the frontal lobe of the brain is affected, because of viral infections, the patient may develop behaviors that are comparable to schizophrenic behavior. Delirium derived behaviors bear some similarity to schizophrenia as it may produce hallucinations, and disorientations. Drug abuse is also associated with behaviors that are analogous to schizophrenic behaviors. The challenge with drug abuse is that it may be making an underlying condition, so the physician must observe the patient when they are drug free to be able to make an accurate determination. The clinician is therefore required to remove all of these possible sources before determining that the patient is suffering with schizophrenia.

Successful diagnosis involves the following factors, the consideration of characteristic symptoms, which must exist for at least one month. The presence of social and occupational dysfunction, as the illness affects several aspects of functioning. The work, along with relationships and personal care may begin to decline. Next, the symptoms must persist for a period no less than six months. Within the six-month period there should be a minimum of one month of symptoms. The physician is required to exclude other possible disorders and medical conditions. Finally, having a prior history of Autistic Disorder or another Pervasive Developmental Disorder requires that delusions and hallucinations exist for no less than a month before a diagnosis of schizophrenia be made (Diagnostic and Statistical 56).

The available treatment options are designed to address the symptoms rather than the underlying cause of the illness. The use of second-generation antipsychotic drugs and therapy has provided a renewed opportunity for a better recovery (Tandon, Nasrallah, and Keshavan 23). The treatment regime is structured to reduce the levels of stress associated with the illness, limit future occurrences, and reestablish the individual back in their society as a functioning member. An effective treatment plan will incorporate therapy, medication along with support services.