Dangerous Mind – Psychology Essay Example

those suffering from them. Auditory hallucinations are particularly common in people with schizophrenia and often serve as a reliable indicator of the disorder (Kagn 485). Another symptom present in all individuals with schizophrenia is thought disorders or delusions. This includes speaking incoherently, rapidly shifting ideas, and having peculiar thoughts. The delusions experienced by schizophrenics consist of strongly held false or irrational beliefs that others do not accept. These delusions go beyond thinking they are under surveillance and involve more extreme and unfounded convictions. Individuals often believe they are being controlled through methods like radio waves, microchips, hypnosis etc.Torrey treated a patient named Josh who firmly believed that the FBI had embedded a small radio inside his head and was manipulating him using it (44). Schizophrenic individuals experience significant disruptions in emotions and behaviors, which can be distressing for their family and friends. People with schizophrenia are unable to empathize with others, including themselves, making it difficult for them to understand or relate to different perspectives. The side effects of schizophrenia range from inappropriate laughing to engaging in public masturbation or self-harm. This complexity and variability of symptoms make the condition hard to comprehend and frightening, as well as challenging to diagnose.

There is currently a wealth of knowledge worldwide about the causes of schizophrenia. While theories about its causes have always existed, as knowledge grows, these theories will diminish. Extensive studies conducted in the past decade have led to a new understanding that continues to expand. Various theories have emerged regarding the physical aspects of this brain disease, suggesting that it may be a combination of several different brain diseases that collectively produce the symptoms.Importantly, individuals

with schizophrenia have certain regions of their brain shaped differently or smaller compared to those without the disease (Torrey 111). According to Dr. Paul McLean, known as the father of the limbic system, the limbic system and its connections are believed to be responsible for schizophrenia as it plays a crucial role in processing incoming stimuli. He describes its functions as selective, integrative, and unifying - harmonizing raw experiences into reality and organizing coherent activity (Torrey 78).

The limbic system interprets reality based on our senses - what we hear, see, touch, and smell. In the past, stress and family interactions were widely accepted as the primary cause of schizophrenia. However, recent research has diminished the prominence of these theories.

In 1911, Freud was the first to recognize schizophrenia as a brain problem requiring treatment. Initially, psychoanalysts believed that the parent-child relationship was at the root of schizophrenia.

Nevertheless, over the last three decades, there has been growing interest in infectious diseases as potential causes. Certain viruses like rabies and herpes zoster may selectively affect specific parts of the brain while leaving others unaffected - potentially explaining the unusual symptoms observed in schizophrenic individuals.

Moreover, viruses can alter brain cell function without causing visible structural damage.Viruses have the capacity to cause schizophrenia without visible signs, and they can remain dormant for extended periods before manifesting, similar to how HIV progresses into AIDS. This may explain why schizophrenia often emerges later in life. Contemporary psychologists and psychiatrists focus on biochemical factors as a prevailing belief. One specific area of interest is the neurotransmitter dopamine, a brain protein classified as a catecholamine that facilitates communication between nerve cells (Bebbington 110). Dopamine

has received significant attention due to its association with schizophrenic behavior when high doses of amphetamines are administered. Medications that block dopamine receptors have demonstrated efficacy in reducing symptoms in individuals with schizophrenia (Keefe 100). Other neurotransmitters like serotonin and norepinephrine are also being examined for their potential role in schizophrenia but require further testing and experimentation. Nutrition is another aspect of biochemical theories explored by orthomolecular psychiatry, which investigates how vitamin deficiencies impact an individual's brain chemistry and can result in altered subjective experiences referred to as metabolic dysperceptions (Anderson 95). However, these nutritional theories are still in their early stages and lack substantial evidence for validation. Treatment options for schizophrenia vary because there is currently no definitive cure available.These options range from group therapy to the use of antipsychotic drugs. However, in this century, certain therapies have been performed without sufficient scientific evidence, resulting in negative outcomes. Examples include insulin coma, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), and frontal lobotomy.

Insulin coma entails administering excessive insulin to decrease blood sugar supply to the brain and induce a comatose state.German physician Manfred Sakel experimented with insulin comas on schizophrenic patients in 1933, believing it would alleviate their symptoms. However, when American doctors attempted the same approach, most patients died as a result.

ECT is another therapy widely used despite limited evidence of its effectiveness for schizophrenia. It involves passing brief pulses of electricity through the brain.

The most extreme therapy mentioned is frontal lobotomy. Developed by Portuguese doctor Egas Moniz in 1935, frontal lobotomies were believed to address specific problem sites but instead left schizophrenic patients devoid of personality like zombies, as described by American psychiatrist Soloman H Snyder.

Times have

changed now and extensive research is conducted on theoretical treatments before they are administered to real patients.Drug therapy, specifically the use of antipsychotics, is currently the most crucial and beneficial treatment for schizophrenia. These drugs have been proven to alleviate symptoms, shorten hospital stays, and decrease the likelihood of rehospitalization (Keefe 145). In the past, individuals with schizophrenia would spend weeks or even months in psychiatric hospitals. However, thanks to new antipsychotic drugs, their hospital stays have significantly reduced to just a few days. Surprisingly, those who consistently take these medications have a 60 percent chance (3-out-of-5) of avoiding rehospitalization (Keefe 164). Antipsychotics work by blocking specific receptors in the brain that are associated with certain neurotransmitters. For instance, chlorpromazine is an antipsychotic that inhibits dopamine receptors believed to be responsible for many symptoms related to schizophrenia (Anderson 97).