Psych Disorders

Analyzing Psychological Disorders

Cassandra Osborn

1/26/14

PSY/240

Rebecca Gazda

Analyzing Psychological Disorders

Schizophrenia is an uncommon but very serious disorder. This disorder also does not have a great deal explained about it. Areas that are known consist of; the areas of the brain that are affected, contributing factors, symptoms, the neural origin, and suitable drug therapies. Anorexia and anxiety are also disorders that plague various societies today. They are more common but just as severe and life altering. However, they like schizophrenia, have various successful treatment options available.

Schizophrenia is a disorder which name literally means “the splitting of psychic functions” (Pinel, 2011, p. 467). The symptoms of this disorder include, but are not limited to; hallucinations, delusions, incoherent speech, catatonic behavior patterns, negative symptoms, and being grossly disorganized (American Psychiatric Association, 2000). Another common aspect of schizophrenia is both social and occupational dysfunction on a daily basis. To diagnose schizophrenia, these symptoms must be apparent in the patient for at minimum six months consecutively (American Psychiatric Association, 2000).

Several theories exist concerning schizophrenia. One theory in particular, is that some individuals have a genetic predisposition to becoming schizophrenic (Pinel, 2011). If one has said genetic predisposition and is in turn exposed to trauma or some sort of severe stress, then this combination could trigger the onset of schizophrenia. Those who have the genetic predisposition for schizophrenia also, on a frequent basis, have suffered from an early infection that was in affiliation with autoimmune hindrances. Autoimmune hindrances, such as autoimmune reactions and toxin exposure, usually amplifies the chances of an individual developing schizophrenia (Pinel, 2011).

On the other hand, another theory shows that schizophrenia could potentially be linked to...