You are on page 1of 11

Introduction

The term Schizophrenia (pronounced /ˌskɪtsɵˈfrɛniə/ or /ˌskɪtsɵˈfriːniə/), is based on

the Greek roots skhizein (σχίζειν, "to split") and phrēn, phren- (φρήν, φρεν-; "mind")

meaning split mind. Schizophrenia is the most common form of psychosis occurring in

young adulthood with approximately 0.5 per cent and 1 per cent of population (NHS

Centre for Reviews and Dissemination), usually marked by some ‘positive’ symptoms

such as delusions, hallucinations, and a ‘split’ between thought and emotion of a person,

as if the thought and emotion were no longer contact with each other. Normally are

accompanied by intrinsic ‘negative’ symptoms such as poverty of thought and speech,

depression, apathy and social withdrawal (Andreasen & Olsen 1982; Crow, 1985). If a

patient of Schizophrenia is told that anything sad happened to his/her family, he/she may

just smile or show no emotion at all. This is because emotional of the patient was affected

and become blunted and very inappropriate. Individuals with a severe and enduring

illness often require hospitalization, followed by periods during which intrinsic negative

symptoms compromise life quality (NHS Centre for Reviews and Dissemination, 1999).

Although scientists know that genes are not destiny, but still it is one of the important

contribute factors together with early environment, neurobiology, psychological and

social processes. Still a person may have some of the genes that are associated will

increased risk of mental illness, and according to research suggests that only if a person is

exposed to specific environmental factors and perceived stresses do the genes become

active and thereby further increase the risk for, or trigger, the illness. There is no specific

amount of genetic or environmental input that has been identified that will ensure

DS3003 INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY Page 1


someone will or will not develop Schizophrenia so it is never too late or too early to

begin planning for your mental health. Research now shows that in mental health

the biology, psychology and social or emotional environment are closely

interdependent - so factors in each of these areas are important to address.

DS3003 INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY Page 2


Subtypes of Schizophrenia

The DSM-IV-TR* contains five sub-classifications of schizophrenia. (Appendices 1)

Paranoid type: Paranoid Schizophrenia is the most common schizophrenia disorder, as

in paranoid delusional disorders, paranoid schizophrenia centers around delusions of

grandeur and persecution. However, paranoid schizophrenia also hallucinates, and their

delusions are more bizarre and unconvincing than those in a delusional disorder.

Thinking that their minds are being controlled by God, the government, or ‘cosmic rays

from space,’ or that someone is trying to poison them, people suffering from paranoid

schizophrenia may feel forces into violence to ‘protect’ themselves. (DSM code

295.3/ICD code F20.0)

Disorganized type: The disorder known as disorganized schizophrenia (sometimes

called hebephrenic schizophrenia) comes close to matching the stereotyped images of

‘madness’ seen in movies. In disorganized schizophrenia, personality disintegration is

almost complete: Emotions, speech, and behavior are highly disorganized. The result is

silliness, laughter, and bizarre or obscene behavior.

Disorganized schizophrenia typically develops in adolescence or young adulthood.

Chances of improvement are limited, and social impairment is usually extreme (DSM-IV-

TR, 2000) (DSM code 295.1/ICD code F20.1)

Catatonic type: The catatonic person seems to be in a state of total panic. Catatonic

schizophrenia brings about a stuporous condition in which odd positions may be held for

DS3003 INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY Page 3


hours or even days. These periods of rigidity may be similar to the tendency to ‘freeze’ at

times of great emergency or panic. Catatonic individuals appear to be struggling

desperately to control their inner turmoil. One sign of this is the fact that stupor may

occasionally give way to agitated outbursts or violent behavior. Fortunately, this bizarre

form of schizophrenia has become rare in Europe and North America.(DSM-IV-TR,

2000)(DSM code 295.2/ICD code F20.2)

Undifferentiated type: The three types of schizophrenia just described occur most often

in textbooks. In reality patients may shift from one pattern to another at different times.

Many patients, therefore, are simply classified as suffering from undifferentiated

schizophrenia, in which the specific features of catatonic, disorganized, or paranoid types

are missing. Diagnosing schizophrenia is fairly subjective. All things considered,

however, there is no doubt that schizophrenia is real that its treatment is a major

challenge. (DSM code 295.9/ICD code F20.3)

The ICD-10 defines two additional subtypes.

 Post-schizophrenic depression: A depressive episode arising in the aftermath of

a schizophrenic illness where some low-level schizophrenic symptoms may still

be present. (ICD code F20.4)

 Simple schizophrenia: Insidious and progressive development of promAinent

negative symptoms with no history of psychotic episodes. (ICD code F20.6)

DS3003 INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY Page 4


The cause of Schizophrenia

Generally, it is important for everyone to know the initial risks that may be face of

getting Schizophrenia in order to reduce the risks. Schizophrenia is a type of

psychological disorder that happened to be more chronic and debilitate if compare to

others.

- The Genetic Factor

Schizophrenia, like some other psychological disorder, tends to run in families. The

closer the family relationship between two people, the higher risk for he/ she to develop

schizophrenia (Nicole & Gottesman,1983). In the general population, for someone who

has no family history of mental illness, the average risk is estimated at approximately 1%

(and therefore a 99% probability that the person will not get schizophrenia). If someone

who is genetically related to a person in the extended family that does have

schizophrenia, then the risk is higher - and the chart below provides a rough estimate of

that risk. If, for example, you have an aunt or uncle who developed schizophrenia, then

your risk (on average) is estimated at approximately 2% (and therefore there is a 98%

probability you won't get schizophrenia). Even for the situation where one parent has

schizophrenia the risk is estimated at 13% for a child, which means there is an 87%

probability that the person will not develop schizophrenia. If one member of a pair of

identical twins develops schizophrenia, there is almost 50% chance that the other will

develop it too (Matthysse & Kidd, 1976). If a family has a history of more than one

person developing schizophrenia then the risk goes up.

DS3003 INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY Page 5


(Source: Gottesman, 1991) reference*no.1

It’s also important to keep in mind as you read about the risk factors, that most of these

risk factors are associated with approximately a doubling of risk (also called the "Odds

Ratio") - which might sound high, but that means that overall for someone with no family

history of schizophrenia, that the risk goes from about 1% to 2% (with risk of not getting

schizophrenia declining from 99% to 98%). Therefore, for the average person with no

family history of schizophrenia or mental illness most of these risk factors may not make

a significant difference in terms of total risk of schizophrenia which remains low. At the

same time good healthcare, nutrition and a positive emotional environment for women

during pregnancy are always important factors for the health of a baby and always

recommended by doctors. Research also suggests that nurturing, sensitive child care is

also important for the healthy emotional development of children.

DS3003 INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY Page 6


Some of the Schizophrenia Environmental Risk Factors *reference no.2

- Biochemical Factor

There is evidence for Dopamine hypothesis of Schizophrenia that is provided by the

finding that the brains of deceased schizophrenics show increased dopamine and a higher

than normal number of dopamine receptors (Mackey et al., 1982). This can be consider

from a main observation that is from the effect from drug such as large doses of

amphetamines that will make consumer produce delusions of persecutions and

hallucinations.

- Prenatal Factor

There are several prenatal factors which increase the risk of developing schizophrenia.

Respiratory infections including influenza, pneumonia, tuberculosis and acute bronchitis

all lead to an increased risk for schizophrenia. Time of birth (Bradbury & Miller,1985),

place of birth, infections during pregnancy, malnourishment, stress, and rhesus

incompatibility are also causes that implicated to develop of Schizophrenia. (Appendices

2)

DS3003 INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY Page 7


Treatment for Schizophrenia

There are mainly two types of treatment which help patient of Schizophrenia that varies

in the degree of recover.

The most common type of treatment is Medication Treatment. The medical

management of schizophrenia often requires a combination of antipsychotic,

antidepressant, and anti-anxiety medication. Antipsychotic drugs are the best

treatment now available, but they do not "cure" schizophrenia or ensure that there will be

no further psychotic episodes. The dosage of the medicine may also vary for different

patient as according to the degree of their sickness and also amount not to bring any

troublesome site effect. An antipsychotic drug is the best way in curing patient for

Schizophrenia for majority.

Another type of treatment is Psychotherapy Treatment that normally use as an adjunct

with medication treatment. Numbers of patient of Schizophrenia maybe lack of skills for

work, and also will face difficulty when comes to communication, self motivation, self

care, and to establish relationship with others. For this type of social, work problem,

psychosocial treatment will help a lot. However this approach is only suitable for those

who psychotic symptoms are under control. The availability and forms of treatment

varies in term of places and the degree of curing are also vary for different people.

DS3003 INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY Page 8


Information for Teens: How to Lower Your Risk for Schizophrenia

1. Don't use street drugs, and moderate any use of alcohol

- From the above statement of biochemical factor that cause schizophrenia, we

can know that street drug such as amphetamines will cause effect such as

hallucination to people who consumed. Alcohol is also one of the factors that

will increase the percentage of developing Schizophrenia for teens as it will

cause damages to their brain. People who have mental illness in their family

history will have higher risk compare to those who are not.

2. Make an ongoing effort to develop your social skills as much as you can

- Try to make more friends. Avoid social isolation as social skill is something

that we need to learn and to practice in order to improve it. Better spend more

time with friends if compare to be alone. For those who like to be alone, their

risk of developing Schizophrenia will be higher if compare with those who

like to get along with friends.

3. Make an ongoing effort to maintain friendships with adults

- Some children born in a family that communicates not so well with parents

(may be father, mother, or both due to reasons). These people are advised to

put some effort on developing friendship with elder, may be their relatives,

aunt, teacher, etc , who may be better in life experience that will help them in

solving problems, and may also try to improve the relationship between the

parents and children.

4. Make extra effort to learn how to deal with stress and anxiety

DS3003 INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY Page 9


- People should make an extra effort to learn positive perspectives on the world

as setbacks or problems are just part of life. When you feel stress, anxiety,

depression or more related to negative emotion, try to express to friends or

anyone who you trust and can help you to solve problem. Exercise is also a

good way to release one’s pressure.

5. Seek Help from Qualified Psychologists and Psychiatrists if you have problems

coping

- For those who have history of family mental illness, it is better if you seek

help from qualified psychologists as they are professional that helps better.

Furthermore, it is better to seek help from them earlier.

DS3003 INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY Page 10


Conclusion

As we can see, from some of the movie that has character with Schizophrenia, were

normally people who kill or with some behavior that will hurt people around him or her.

This may lead us to misunderstanding of Schizophrenia as although one of my aunt

developed Schizophrenia, she do not hurt people, mostly what she does is just she may

talk in different ways for a same topic. But all of these symptoms can be control by

taking medicine according to doctor’s instruction. Family is also another factor that will

help Schizophrenia developer to recover better if compared to those who feel ashamed

having family members that developed Schizophrenia. Many homeless persons are

suffering from Schizophrenia, mood disorder, and other serious psychological problems

(Burt, 1992).

In the conclusion, we who were normal people should treat Schizophrenia developer the

way they need, as this will improve their self-esteem, social skills that needed, and also

may recover better.

DS3003 INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY Page 11

You might also like