Abstract
This paper describes and discusses schizophrenia. It looks at the disorder from the standpoint of history, etiology, treatment, prevention, culture and the Bible to explore its many facets. It shows that in spite of there being no known cause of the disorder, treating it is possible. It highlights the need to reduce the taboo and stigma associate with schizophrenia as a step in preventing it or at least in treating it before it worsens. It notes that from the Biblical standpoint faith can be a factor in prevention.

Keywords: schizophrenia, biblical worldview, history of schizophrenia

Introduction

Schizophrenia literally means “split mind,” and the symptoms of schizophrenia have been observed throughout all history and have been treated differently in different cultures in different eras (Kinter, 2009). The DSM (2013) classifies schizophrenia as a mental disorder that causes the patient to experience hallucinations, delusions, irrational speech patterns, anti-social behavior, a loss of willpower or motivation, and a possible catatonic state at times. This broad spectrum of symptoms should be demonstrated actively for at least a month, with behavior being monitored and observed in a continuous manner for up to six months after the initial signs. While there is no known cause of schizophrenia, and therefore no known way to prevent it, researchers are still examining a variety of different factors, both genetic and environmental, that may impact mental health disorders like schizophrenia. This paper will discuss the history of schizophrenia, what is known or theorized as the cause of the illness, how it is treated today, possible avenues of prevention, cross-cultural issues pertaining to the topic, and the disease from Biblical worldview.

Historical

From the earliest historical records, schizophrenia has been viewed as both a physical and spiritual malady, depending on the culture and the times. The ancient Egyptians saw it as a physical disease, while the Chinese and the ancient Greeks viewed it as spiritual problem (Vazquez & Santone, 2011). In ancient India, Hindus believed it to be a combination of both spiritual and physical disorders, and throughout the Middle Ages the different approaches to treating schizophrenia indicated that the people of Europe viewed it as having mental, physical and spiritual roots (McNally, 2016).

It was not until modern times that a better understanding of schizophrenia began to develop. That began in 1893 when Dr. Kraepelin referred to the disorder as premature dementia. The disorder was renamed schizophrenia by Eugen Bleuler in 1911. While Kraepelin drew attention to the topic of auditory hallucinations, Bleuler highlighted the effect of the patient having a split personality (Maatz, Hoff & Angst, 2015). Treatments throughout the 20th century have ranged from electroshock therapy to the humanistic approach of Carl Rogers (Styliandis, 2016).

Today, the primary methods used to treat schizophrenia typically include a combination of pharmacological and therapeutic approaches. Neuroleptics, mood stabilizers and anti-depressants may be used depending on the patient’s receptivity. Psychosocial therapy may also be used (Villeneuve, Potvin, Lesage & Nicole, 2010) or cognitive behavioral therapy. As Saks (2009) points out, schizophrenia is very treatable, but a patient will need a strong support system and a firm will to be committed to the treatment process. It is also important that taboos about schizophrenia be eliminated from the patient’s psyche, because these can be roadblocks to treatment that will cause the patient to resist the diagnosis (Saks, 2009).

Cause of the Illness

The etiology of schizophrenia is unknown. It is believed that there may be genetic factors, environmental factors or a combination of both that cause a person to become schizophrenic. Freud believed it came about as a result of a problem in the family dynamic (McNally, 2016). However, today, some researchers are focusing on finding a genetic link to schizophrenia, while others look for a physiological explanation, as a result of the idea that auditory hallucinations are caused by neurotransmitters failing to act in a precise manner (Dhindsa & Goldstein, 2016). Still other research has focused on the environmental factors that might lead to schizophrenia, such as stress, drug usage, viral infection, or over-exposure to toxins (McNally, 2016). The fact is that there is no evidence to indicate that any one factor serves as a cause of schizophrenia. It may be a combination of any one of these issues, and it may be something else completely. Some believe that it is at root a spiritual problem, as are all other mental problems (Ho et al., 2016).

Not knowing the cause of schizophrenia does not mean it cannot be treated effectively, however. Cognitive behavioral therapy, for example, does not depend upon understanding the causes of a patient’s problems but rather on identifying the triggers that lead to the negative outcomes and developing a behavioral plan that will. Pharmacological treatment also does not depend upon understanding the cause of schizophrenia but rather on recognizing...…it is the other: “Although diseases, possession and exorcism are considered to be the results of sins, the Bible describes each of them separately. Jesus Christ has the demiurgic capacity to distinguish between disease and demonic possession” (p. 213). The point is, nonetheless, the best prevention of schizophrenia, according to the Bible is a life spent following Christ. When one deviates into a life of habitual sin, one risks becoming a “split mind” personality, especially if one knows that one should be following Christ rather than following Satan.

The best treatment for this kind of suffering is through prayer and fasting, which doubles as a preventive measure. However, in some cases, spiritual intervention may be required, as in an exorcism. Because the nature of the disease is viewed differently by modern scientists, this type of intervention would be disputed today. However, as Scripcaru et al. (2017) note, it is not so much a matter of denying a spiritual capacity to people’s lives as it is discerning that exact nature or character of the disorder from which the patient is suffering. James 1:5-8 states, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.” In other words, faith is the key to preventing the “split mind” personality from developing.

Conclusion

The etiology of schizophrenia is unknown; however, modern medicine does have ways of treating it, which include pharmacological intervention and therapeutic intervention. Throughout history, every culture has described a disorder that resembles schizophrenia and each culture and age has treated it differently—some by trying to soothe the soul through music, others by treating the physiology through food; others through prayer, and others through electroshock. From the standpoint of the Bible, faith, prayer and fasting can put one on the straight and narrow so that the “split mind” personality is avoided. Future research on the topic should focus on identifying the relationship between faith and schizophrenia to test the idea of whether there is any correlation between those who follow Christ and those who develop schizophrenia.