Schizophrenia Essay -- essays research papers

Schizophrenia is serious and chronic brain disease. Schizophrenia Affects 1% of the world develops schizophrenia sometime in their life time. 2 million people in the US suffer from it every year it will affect men and women both but shows up earlier in men usually in the teen or early adult years, women usually are diaongnosed in their early thirties. People with schizophrenia often suffer terrifying symptoms such as hearing internal voices not heard by others, or believing that other people are reading their minds, controlling their thoughts, or plotting to harm them. Their speech and behavior can be so disorganized that they may be incomprehensible or frightening to others. Available treatments can relieve many symptoms, but most people with schizophrenia continue to suffer some symptoms throughout their lives; it has been estimated that no more than one in five individuals recovers completely. Schizophrenia is found not only in the US but the whole world. The first signs of schizophrenia often appear as confusing, or even shocking, changes in behavior. The sudden onset of severe psychotic symptoms is referred to as an â€Å"acute† phase of schizophrenia. â€Å"Psychosis,† a common condition in schizophrenia, is a state of mental impairment marked by hallucinations, which are disturbances of sensory perception, and/or delusions, which are false yet strongly held personal beliefs that result from an inability to separate real from unreal experiences. Schizophrenia can be traced back to Egyptian times. The word "schizophrenia" comes from the Greek roots schizo (split) and phrene (mind) to describe the thinking of people with the disorder. His term was not meant to convey the idea of split or multiple personality, a common misunderstanding by many people. Since Bleuler's time, the definition of schizophrenia has continued to change, as scientists attemp t to more accurately determine the different types of mental diseases. Without knowing the exact causes of these diseases, scientists can only base their classifications on the observation that some symptoms tend to occur together. Both Bleuler subdivided schizophrenia into categories, based on the symptoms and prognoses. Over the years, those working in this field have continued to attempt to classify types of schizophrenia. Five types were delineated in the DSM-III: disorganize... ...order, but do not cure it. Many psychological treatments are also available: stress relief, making sure the patient feels good about themselves, also helping families deal with it and help them help the patient. Schizophrenia is a very serious mental disorder that more people have to take serious. Anyone can be diagnosed with the disorder and suffer life long affects from it. We need to be more aware of it and research more on new treatment methods. Although there is success stories there are many more stories that end in death because of suicide from the person and their depression from the disorder. We need to educate the public about the disorder and use technology to our advantage and try to find a definite cure for the disorder. Although there is treatment for the symptoms it is not the way a person should live taking a pill every day or spending thousands of dolars on doctor bills to try and be cured. Schizophrenia is a very serious disorder that needs to be researched ever more so we can stop the suffering of the over 2 million people that have and deal with the disorder everyday.