Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia
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The physiologic processes of the mind responsible for states of health and illness largely remain a mystery. Thus the mind's disorders must be defined symptomatically. This means that treatment alternatives are often limited. They usually consist merely of addressing those symptoms. The implications associated with schizophrenia are particularly tragic. The disease tends to afflict those with the most to lose, often robbing patients of their most productive years. Perhaps the only favorable aspect of the disease is its variable outcome. There are patients who recover without impairment. Such cases emphasize the potential for medical care in schizophrenia: competent medical attention can and does make a difference for the patient. According to a 1991 study by the National Institute of Mental Health, mental illness costs the United States over $129 billion annually (Wallis & Willwerth, 1992, p. 54 55). Of that sum, schizophrenia alone steals a disproportionately large $50 billion. Although the term "schizophrenia" was coined in 1911, the disease has been recognized for centuries (Strome, 1989, p. 47). Schizophrenics were once believed to be victims of possession either by devils or angels (Wallis & Willwerth, 1992, p. 55). St. Teresa of Avila was probably a schizophrenic. So too probably was the prophet Ezekiel. In addition to his many apocalyptic visions, Ezekiel once claimed to have heard a divine voice command him to "sleep on his right sid
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schizophrenic parent faces 10 times those odds; furthermore, if both parents are affected, the odds jump to 40% (Wallis & Willwerth, 1992, p. 55).
The evidence for this, however, is both complicated and in some instances contradictory. For example, children of parents with schizophrenia raised by adoptive parents who don't have the illness have a somewhat reduced risk (Wallis & Willwerth, 1992, p. 55). In addition, if one identical twin has the disorder, the odds are just 50% that the other will (Wallis & Willwerth, 1992, p. 55).
These facts clearly argue against a hereditary etiology. Environmental factors such as stress, or possibly a viral infection during infancy or gestation, may also play a role in triggering the disease (Wallis & Willwerth, 1992, p. 55).
Research by Zubin and Spring suggests that the schizophrenic phenotype actually results from an interaction between genetic factors and environmental stressors (Kahn & White, 1989, p. 610). Furthermore, their hypothesis is supported by the observations of investigators working with the families of schizophrenics. They have noted that an exacerbation of symptoms is often associated with stress within the family. Relapse rates tend to be higher in families
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Some common words found in the essay are:
McClellan Werry, Wallis Willwerth, Kahn White, Blair Dauner, , Drake Sederer, Caldwell Gottesman, mcclellan werry, werry 1992, mcclellan werry 1992, willwerth 1992, wallis willwerth, wallis willwerth 1992, Teresa Avila, Psychiatric Nursing, kahn white 1989, kahn white, white 1989, Moreover NMS, dauner 1993, 1992 55, blair dauner 1993, blair dauner, willwerth 1992 55, 1989 610,
Approximate Word count = 3253
Approximate Pages = 13 (250 words per page)
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