SCHIZOPHRENIA Introduction This research pape

Schizophrenia is a disorder that is characterized by signs and symptoms present for one month (active-phase symptoms), and lasts for at least six months. Active-phase symptoms include delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, grossly disorganized or catatonic behavior, negative symptoms (two or more). Subtypes include Paranoid, Disorganized, Catatonic, Undifferentiated, and Residual (DSM-IV, 1994, pp. 273-274).

Cultural factors are considered when assessing symptoms of schizophrenia. Linguistic variations in narrative styles may result in difficult assessment of disorganized speech. Emotional styles may vary across cultures. Behaviors have different meanings within each culture. Catatonic behavior is uncommon for individuals with schizophrenia in the United States; it is more common in non-Western countries. Developing nations, more than industrialized nations, tend to have schizophrenics with a more acute c

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be preceded by Schizotypal, Schizoid, or Paranoid Personality Disorder, however, with Schizophrenia, symptoms are more sever and satisfy Criterion A (DSM-IV, pp. 283-285). Neurological/Biological Research & Freud's Theory Neurological and biological research regarding schizophrenia includes a search for genes, interest in the role of amino acid neurotransmitters, and neurodevelopmental influences. Highly polymorphic DNA markers have allowed for the scanning of the human genome for sites that may be linked to schizophrenia. Studies suggest that schizophrenia is a multifactorial disease that has a complex mode of inheritance; genetic linkages are shown but roles played are unknown. Findings describe varieties in a genetic allele that are associated with the disease; allelic variations reported in schizophrenics include 5-HT and dopamine receptor sites (Weinberger, 1997, pp. 22-23). The dopamine hypothesis of schizophrenia, a predominant theory, states that the disease is related to increased dopamine function. Studies show the ability of neuroleptics to displace dopamine antagonists. Evidence shows that cognitive deficits and negative symptoms of schizophrenia may be associated with decreased dopamine function in the pre
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GABA Antipsychotic, Disorder DSM-IV, Residual DSM-IV, Theory Neurological, Psychopharmacological Management, Togashi Yoshioka, Originally LSD, According Freud, Sternbach Payne, Drug Administration, negative symptoms, psychotic symptoms, symptoms schizophrenia, disorganized catatonic, positive symptoms, dsm-iv pp, delusions hallucinations, disorganized speech, catatonic behavior, active-phase symptoms, delusions hallucinations disorganized, disorganized catatonic behavior, daniel whitcomb 1998, clinical neuroscience 246, et al pp,
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