Genetics, Brain Structure, and Behavior: Future Directions Essay Example

make diagnosis difficult. Catatonic schizophrenia involves periods of immobility interrupted by sudden bursts of aggressive activity. Paranoid schizophrenics experience extreme delusions resulting from an exaggerated sense of power, knowledge, or identity.

Schizophrenia diagnosis and subtype determination can take six months or longer. It is not considered a cultural or environmental disorder; research shows it can be genetic, affecting multiple members of a direct bloodline who inherit susceptibility. Individuals closely related to someone with schizophrenia have a higher likelihood of developing the disorder compared to those with more distant familial connections like half-brothers or cousins.

Although there is no current method to prevent schizophrenia, individuals with parents or identical twins who have the condition are more likely to develop it. Nevertheless, with extensive therapy and occasional involvement of family members, delusions can be lessened. It should be emphasized that a complete cure for schizophrenia is not available at the moment, but there are innovative approaches that can assist individuals with this condition in leading a normal life.

In the research article "Recent Advances in Social Skills Training for Schizophrenia" (2006), authors highlight cognitive behavioral therapy as a successful technique for helping people with schizophrenia. This intensive approach focuses on teaching methods to silence the voices in their head, such as listening to music or asking questions aloud to gain understanding of their thoughts. The authors also emphasize the use of specific behavioral skills training to help individuals with schizophrenia develop important life skills, coping strategies, and alleviate internal struggles.

Family Interventions are aimed at educating the family members of individuals with schizophrenia on how to effectively manage the mental illness, cope with

the stress it brings, and provide appropriate support. This includes understanding medication and establishing a structured environment for their loved one's well-being. Typically, families are unaware of how they can assist until the schizophrenic person is discharged from the hospital, assuming that they will naturally know what steps to take (Johnson, 2005). On the other hand, Cognitive Remediation focuses on improving perception, judgement, and reasoning skills in order to enhance learning and prevent further mental decline in everyday life situations (Medalia ; Choi, 2009).

Supported employment can help individuals with schizophrenia find suitable jobs, potentially improving their self-esteem and overall quality of life. Although there is much that is still unknown about this condition, ongoing research and accurate diagnosis are crucial for furthering our understanding. Providing comprehension, patience, and the right medications to those facing this debilitating struggle is essential.

The inquiry regarding whether schizophrenia is a brain disorder or an imbalance in brain biochemistry remains unresolved. Rather, it is crucial to concentrate on recognizing behavioral patterns in children that may progress into symptoms of this mystical phenomenon. These manifestations can influence not only their auditory perception but also their visual perception and physical mobility. As psychologists and scientists, it is imperative for us to establish preventive measures to prevent individuals from plunging into an unfamiliar abyss where they may experience a state of immobility without appropriate medication and therapy.

Even though there is no cure for schizophrenia, individuals can still lead independent lives with few barriers to achieving their full potential. It is essential for people in relationships with those who have schizophrenia to be well-informed about the material discussed in

Davidson L.'s "Psychotherapeutic and Cognitive-Behavioral Treatments for Schizophrenia: Developing a Disorder-Specific Form of Psychotherapy for Persons with Psychosis," as cited in Perris C., et al.'s Handbook of Theory and Practice on Cognitive Psychotherapy of Psychotic and Personality Disorders.

The text discusses various sources on social skills training, family interventions, and cognitive remediation in schizophrenia. The first source is a paper published in 1998 by John Wiley & Sons titled "Recent Advances in Social Skills Training for Schizophrenia." The second source is an article from August 2006 in the Schizophrenia Bulletin, which further explores social skills training for schizophrenia. The third source is an article by D. L. Johnson published in May 2005 in the Psychiatric Times, which discusses family interventions for schizophrenia from an international perspective. Finally, there is a 2009 study written by A. Medalia and J. Choi on cognitive remediation in schizophrenia. These sources provide valuable information on different aspects of treatment for individuals with schizophrenia.

The article "Supported employment can reduce social exclusion and improve schizophrenia" by Solar (2011) can be retrieved from http://search.proquest.com.ezproxy.apollolibrary.com/docview/232848215. Another source for information on schizophrenia is the book "Abnormal Psychology, Tenth Edition" by Ann M. Kring, Gerald C. Davison, John M. Neale, Sheri L. Johnson. The ISBN for this book is 0471692387 and it is published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc., a Pearson Education Company. This book can be found at http://av4kc7fg4g.search.serialssolutions.com.ezproxy.apollolibrary.com/?ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004;ctx_enc=info%3Aofi%2Fenc%3AUTF.