The Mental
Disorder Known As Schizophrenia
By
George Johnson
A person experiencing untreated schizophrenia is typically
characterized as demonstrating disorganized thinking, and as
experiencing delusions or auditory hallucinations. Although the
disorder is primarily thought to affect cognition, it can also
contribute to chronic problems with behavior and emotion. Due
to the many possible combinations of symptoms, there is ongoing
and heated debate about whether the diagnosis necessarily or
adequately describes a disorder, or alternatively whether it
might represent a number of disorders. For this reason, Eugen
Bleuler deliberately called the disease "the schizophrenias",
plural, when he coined the present name.
Schizophrenia is a psychiatric diagnosis that describes a
mental disorder characterized by impairments in the perception
or expression of reality and by significant social or
occupational dysfunction.
Diagnosis is based on the self-reported experiences of the
patient, in combination with secondary signs observed by a
psychiatrist, clinical psychologist or other competent
clinician. There is no objective biological test for
schizophrenia, though studies suggest that genetics,
neurobiology and social environment are important contributing
factors.
Current research into the development of the disorder often
focuses on the role of neurobiology, although a reliable and
identifiable organic cause has not been found. In the absence
of objective laboratory tests to confirm the diagnosis, some
question the legitimacy of schizophrenia's status as a disease.
The term "schizophrenia" translates roughly as "shattered
mind," and comes from the Greek σχίζω
(schizo, "to split" or "to divide") and
φρήν (phrēn, "mind"). Despite its
etymology, schizophrenia is not synonymous with dissociative
identity disorder, also known as multiple personality disorder
or "split personality"; in popular culture the two are often
confused. Although schizophrenia often leads to social or
occupational dysfunction, there is little association of the
illness with a predisposition toward aggressive behavior.
Patients diagnosed with schizophrenia are highly likely to be
diagnosed with other disorders. The lifetime prevalence of
substance abuse disorders is typically around 40%. Co-morbidity
is also high with clinical depression, anxiety disorders, social
problems, and a generally decreased life expectancy is also
present. Patients diagnosed with schizophrenia typically live
10-12 years less than their healthy counter-parts, owing to
increased physical health problems and a large suicide rate.
About The Author: Keeping you informed about Schizophrenia
http://www.informationonschizophrenia.info
Are You Looking For Ways to Manage or Cure for
Schizophrenia / Schizophenia?
Here are some recommended tools to help you
overcome negativity and paranoid behavior and manage shizophrenia
successfully:
1.
BrainWave
Entrainment!
and the following tapes and cd's, check them out because they work!
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