Mikaela Anderson

Health 1050
01 December 2015
Treating Schizophrenia and Other Mental Disorders
Psychotic disorders have been a problem in countries across the world for all of history.
While mental illnesses may not have been recognized or understood for a great period of time,
many pharmacological developments and other studies have provided us with a better
understanding of those with psychiatric disorders. Many people suffering from disorders like
schizophrenia, depression, and other disorders have been able to take control of themselves and
their lives.
A new perspective has been brought to the table and has been called it the biomedical
model. This model says that abnormal thoughts and behaviors result from abnormal biochemical
processes in the brain. With that said, it is believed that new pharmaceuticals can improve the
abnormal processes and return them to normal. Some others disagree with this model and believe
mental illness is caused by sociological factors, behavioral factors, and cognitive factors.
Genetics back up the biomedical model to some extent and studies have shown that some are
genetically predisposed to mental illness.
Not long ago, mental illness was misunderstood and difficult to address and treat. Many
barbiturates were prescribed and physical treatments like shock therapy and prefrontal
lobotomies were performed to try to fix those that were suffering from schizophrenia. Patients

were often institutionalized in hospitals after these treatments and the amount of patients in
hospitals grew to epic proportions.
Fortunately, newer developments were created and medications were administered to
patients. Often times, theyd feel sedated at first, but then this gradually decreased and the
antipsychotics leveled out. Another benefit besides helping patients lead a normal life is that the
drugs do not produce psychological dependence or abuse. These drugs were effective, but not the
best and problems still existed. The first generation of anti-psychotic medications resulted in
social withdrawal and apathy. This was not the best way a patient could live their life but it was
far better than the hallucinations that those with schizophrenia often suffered. These are the
minor effects of the drugs of the time, but severe ones resulted in symptoms that resembled
Parkinsons disease.
The 1980s brought a new era of anti-psychotics. They lessened the possibility of the
awful Parkinsons like symptoms. There are minimal side effects with these drugs, but some of
them do lead to bigger and more detrimental side effects. One drug called Clozaril carries the
possibility of a patient developing agranulocytosis. Weight gain is also another issue with other
drugs, but most seem to be effective in treating disorders.
Another type of mental illness is depression and it affects one out of six Americans.
Depression consumes a person with grief and sadness. It can be difficult for them to participate
or find joy in anything. A major problem is the tendency for depressed individuals to turn to
alcohol to help alleviate symptoms. This typically makes it worse since alcohol is a system
depressant. When depression goes untreated, it is possible that a person will resort to suicide.
Antidepressants have been developed to help combat this problem. Early depressants were

sometimes detrimental and eventually, more current drugs were developed that prove to be
beneficial.
Other mental disorders have been difficult to treat as well and researchers have been
trying to develop new medications and forms of treatments to help sufferers maintain a better life
and normalize their lives. While medications are ever-improving and do provide a quality of life
for many of the mentally ill patients across the world, sometimes medications are difficult to
obtain or fog up the clarity of life. In these instances, some mentally ill patients cannot care for
themselves and have nobody to turn to. The rate of homelessness among the mentally ill is high
and not enough is being to help these people.
In order to solve these issues, new ideas must be brought to the table. Institutionalization
is not always the best method, but for those who are so stricken by mental illness that they
cannot care for themselves, they are better off being institutionalized to receive proper care and
to perhaps learn to lead some semblance of a normal life, even if it is in an institution. More
research must be put into drug research for anti-psychotics. A new drug can be developed to help
maintain mental clarity with few side effects. Another idea may be to open more support groups
or communities to help those who are mentally ill find somewhere where they feel comfortable
discussing their issues and where they will be able to openly discuss what they are suffering
from. Better healthcare may provide a way for those who are low income or who cannot
otherwise get proper care, get the treatment they need. Anti-psychotics can be expensive, even
for those who are insured. Better healthcare would allow everyone to receive equal and
appropriate care, making a healthier and better life for those who are suffering.