Schizophrenia Essay -- essays research papers

Schizophrenia Child schizophrenia, like other psychopathologies has many documented, and several uncertain causes. Some scientists have evidence that pregnant mothers have experienced an immune reaction that present dangers to the unborn child. Schizophrenia is a disorder where the body=s immune system attacks itself. Schizophrenia is not present at birth but develops during the adolescence period or young adulthood. ASchizophrenia is a biological brain disease affecting thinking, perception, mood, and behaviour. Its exact cause is unknown but overwhelming evidence points to faulty chemistry or structural abnormalities in the brain. In some cases schizophrenia is generic. Schizophrenia strikes one in 100 people at some point in his/her lifetime.@ (Compiled by Ontario Friends of Schizophrenia, Oct 94). Schizophrenia worsens and becomes better in cycles, also known as relapses and remission. People who are suffering from schizophrenia look relatively normal. Schizophrenics suffer from such symptoms as: delusions, hallucinations, and thought disorders. Delusions are false beliefs that aren=t based on reality. Schizophrenics may believe that someone is following them, or planning to harm them. Schizophrenics believe that others can hear their thoughts , also known as Abroadcasting@ and even change them. A...hear their thoughts, insert thoughts into their minds, or control their feelings, actions or impulses. Patients might think they are Jesus, Napoleon, or Franklin D. Roosevelt.@ (American Psychiatric Association Annual >90 page 1) Pregnant women who experience an immune reaction that presents danger to their unborn children, this reaction raises sharply the rates of schizophrenia in the unborn child. Severe malnutrition in the early months of the fetal development may contribute to schizophrenia. It is also known that schizophrenia runs in families. AThe probablitilty of developing schizophrenia as the off spring of one parent with the disease is approximately 13%. The probability of developing schizophrenia as the off spring of both parents with the disease is approximately 35%.@ (Pamphlet by: American Psychiatric Association Annual >90 page 7) Hallucinations another symptom which schizophrenic patients suffer from. Hallucinations may be seen or heard. The most common hallucination are those heard by the schizophrenic. The schizophrenic may hear v... ...sorder.@ (Pamphlet by: National Alliance for the Mentally Ill June >90 page 1) Since the funding is increasingly being cut so is the research for schizophrenia, leaving many unanswered questions. As Child and Youth Workers we need to provide support to parents and childern with this illness, we ourselves need to have a better understanding of schizophrenia.m The most important message for us to convey is Ayou are not alone.@ References a. More than two authors Pamphlets: Compiled by Ontario Friends of Schizophrenics. (1994). The Facts, Schizophrenia: Compassion Through Understanding, Risk of Suicide b. More than two authors Pamphlet by: Natonal Alliance for the Mentally Ill. (1990). Schizophrenia c. One author Bower, B. (1996). New culprits cited for schizophrenia. Science News, vol. 149, 68. D. More than two authors Pamphlet by: American Psychiatric Association Annual. (1990). Schizophrenia, 1-10 e. More than two authors Pamphlet by:National Institute of Mental Heath Annual. (1990). You are not alone: Facts about mental health and mental illness, 1-9 f. One author Dauphinais, D. (1992). Pamphlet: Medicatons for the treatment of schizophrenia: questions and answers, 1-4