Essay on Understanding Schizophrenia - 1698 Words

In my senior year of high school, I began to experience personality changes. I did not realize the significance of the changes at the time, and I think others denied them, but looking back I can see that they were the earliest signs of illness. I became increasingly withdrawn and sullen. I felt alienated and lonely and hated everyone. I felt as if there were a huge gap between me and the rest of the world; everybody seemed so distant from me. This excerpt describes part of Esse Leete 20-year battle with schizophrenia. She committed herself to leading the fullest life her disease will allow and to educating others about mental illness. Schizophrenia is a very serious disease, but through defining schizophrenia and getting†¦show more content†¦When both parents have schizophrenia the percentage of risk rises to approximately 40% (Youth 3). Scientists today think that in some types of schizophrenia, the illness may ride along not only on one common gene, but on various rare genes or a combination of fairly common genes (Youth 3). While the causes are unclear, schizophrenia definitely is: not caused by childhood diseases, poverty, domineering mothers and/or passive fathers, or guilt, failure or misbehavior. Just like an other illness, schizophrenia has signs or symptoms. The symptoms are not identical for each person who has the illness. Approximately one-third of those affected may have only one episode of schizophrenia in his lifetime while another one-third may have recurring or continual episodes but lead relatively normal lives in between. A final one-third have symptoms for a lifetime (Youth 3). Schizophrenia always involves deterioration and changes from a previous level of functioning. Family members and friends often notice that the person is not the same. The person with schizophrenia has difficulty in separating what is real from what is unreal. As the person becomes more stressed by the demands of day to day living, the person may withdraw and the symptoms become more pronounced (Video). Deterioration is noticeable in ares such as: work or academic achievement , how one relates to others, and personal care and hygieneShow MoreRelatedThe Psychological Understanding Of Schizophrenia2173 Words   |  9 Pagesday, the psychological understanding of the mind and schizophrenia has improved as well. From the beliefs of demons dwelling in the minds of the ancient people to understanding the true psychological understanding of this disorder and how it affects the mind. The treatment differs throughout the ages as ancient doctors and knew little on the disorder now known as schizophrenia, the treatment has varied from killing people to shock therapy today. Even though the understanding has grown there stillRead MoreUnderstanding Schizophrenia Essay2372 Words   |  10 PagesUnderstan ding Schizophrenia Schizophrenia, although affecting only one percent of the population, has a direct affect on society today. This disease, if left untreated, poses threat to health care professionals (including psychiatrists), law enforcement personnel, and family members responsible for the care and support of the schizophrenia patient. This paper addresses the causes of schizophrenia and the myths surrounding this complicated ailment, the affect of untreated or misunderstood aspectsRead MoreUnderstanding Schizophrenia Essay examples1617 Words   |  7 PagesUnderstanding Schizophrenia When a person hears the word crazy, their first thoughts are probably of symptoms of schizophrenia. Schizophrenia is seen as the ideal case of insanity. The causes of this disease remain unknown, but scientists are constantly searching for answers. 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