Schizophrenia :: essays research papers

schizophrenic disorder     WHAT IS SCHIZOPHRENIA? What does the term dementia praecox 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 known today for his introduction of the termschizophrenia, previously known as dementia praecox. In actuality, schizophreniais often used generically and inappropriately as it is often applied to almostany kind of unusual appearance of which the speaker disapproves. Schizophrenia isalmost universally viewed as the "classic example of madness" . It is astartling and sometimes frightening experience to unexpectedly ascend across aperson who proclaims himself Jesus Christ, rants gibberish, or sits with hisbody unmoving as if frozen in time and place. For some people, such anexperience is too shocking, too fearsome, too repulsive. They hurry away, tryingto dismiss the image of the d eranged individual from their minds.No other illness is as disabling and baffling as schizophrenia. Today,in spite of the drugs that have allowed many schizophrenics to live at home orin the community, a significant number of people admitted to mental hospitals be victims of the disease. According to the Encyclopedia Of Health,schizophrenics account for nearly 40% of admissions to state mental hospitals,30% of psychiatric admissions to Veterans Administration hospitals, and about20% of admissions to private psychiatric hospitals. Schizophrenia is incurable.Its cause or causes atomic number 18 yet unknown, and it is impossible to predict what coursethe disease will take. There are many theories about the causes of schizophrenia,its progression, and its eventual outcome. They are currently being explored byresearchers around the world.     Schizophrenias most dramatic symptoms are severe 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 occur in other mental illnesses, butthe content of the schizophrenic delusions is often distinct enough that theexperienced psychiatrist or clinical psychologist can readily chance upon thedisorder.Another common characteristic of this disabling disease is thedisjointed conversation of its victims. Their discourse often consists of aseries of vague statements strung together in an incoherent manner. Listenersare left puzzled by what they have heard and this can be attributed to theunevenness of the schizophrenics speaking patterns. To one degree or another,schizophrenics scupper a certain indifference or nonchalance regarding what ishappening around them. Their whole emotional outlook is deadened, and they showlittle or no caring toward others.