Schizophrenia Is a Mental Disorder Thesis

Open, View, and/or
Download this Document

Total Length: 1399 words ( 5 double-spaced pages)

Total Sources: 6

Page 1 of 5

This is because as patients admit that they have a mental disorder and their behavioral malfunction is associated with a serious condition, it gives rise to intense feelings of depression and complete frustration. Patients may lose hope and thus may decide to end their lives. Thus risk of suicide increase as awareness of disorder increases in patients.

It has also been found that while suicide risk may increase as patients become aware of their condition; the awareness still plays a significant role in treating the patients. Most schizophrenia patients are likely to respond more positively to medical intervention if they understand their condition. There is a general willingness to cooperate and to feel better even though risk of suicide remains high.

Cannabis Use and Schizophrenia

It is believed that cannabis use is connected with onset of schizophrenia or worsening of its symptoms. A condition known as cannabic psychosis has been discovered in connection with the use of cannabis which can last for weeks or months in people who are heavy long-term users of cannabis. Recent studies have confirmed the existence of this type of psychosis and it has lent further credibility to reports of link between schizophrenia and cannabis.

Thus when users of cannabis continue using it in the hope that it would reduce their psychotic symptoms, the condition may worsen and cause hallucinations just like in the case of schizophrenia. The connection between cannabis use and schizophrenia is now well documented. Linzen et al. (1994) have found that schizophrenia can develop in those cannabis users who display certain personality traits and have a family history of psychosis. This shows that certain personality types and genetic combination may predispose some people to symptoms of schizophrenia.

Personality Traits and Schizophrenia

Since we have already discussed that some personality traits may be found in schizophrenia patients, it is important to see how studies support this claim. In a study conducted by Berenbaum and Fujita in 1994, it was found that patients with schizophrenia had "elevated NA (neuroticism) and low PA (extraversion), as well as elevations on a nonemotional trait they termed "peculiarity.

Stuck Writing Your "Schizophrenia Is a Mental Disorder" Thesis?

View All Our Example Schizophrenia Is a Mental Disorder Thesis

Have A Custom Example Essay Written

" (Horan et al.) It was also found that "disturbances in these affective traits, although not specific to schizophrenia, may help explain clinical symptoms, course, and associated features." (Horan et al. 2008). Emotional problems of schizophrenia patients can range from inability to feel emotions to actually feel but not be able to express them properly. Kring et al. (2008) explain: "…functions of emotion in persons with schizophrenia are comparable to those without schizophrenia however, emotion disturbances in schizophrenia can interfere with the achievement of these important emotion-related functions. For example, a schizophrenia patient's absence of facial expressions may evoke negative responses from others, thus negatively impacting social relationships and interactions."

Conclusion

The paper focused on several aspects of the mental disorder known as schizophrenia. Schizophrenia has both genetic and environmental causes. Some similarities in personality have been found in patients with this condition such as lack of emotional response and serious fear of conspiracy. The prevalence is low but schizophrenia is highly researched condition which has led to availability of vast amount of credible literature on the subject. Despite this, there is still no perfect treatment available for the condition even though some modern medical interventions have been able to improve the quality of life for the patients.

REFERENCES

Linzsen DH, Dingemans PM, Lenior ME. Cannabis abuse and the course of recentonset schizophrenic disorders. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 1994;51:273-279.

Horan WP, Blanchard JJ, Clark LA. Affective Traits in Schizophrenia and Schizotypy. Schizophrenia Bulletin 2008 34(5):856-874;

Siever LJ, M.D., Davis KL, M.D. The Pathophysiology of Schizophrenia Disorders: Perspectives From the Spectrum. Am J. Psychiatry 161:398-413, March 2004

Kring AM and Moran EK. Emotional Response Deficits in Schizophrenia: Insights From Affective Science. Schizophrenia Bulletin 2008 34(5):819-834;

Norquist GS, Narrow WE. Shizophrenia: Epidemiology, cited in Kaplan & Sadock's.

Comprehensive Textbook of Psychiatry. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, N Work, 2000, vo 1, p. 1097.

Peuskens, Josef; De Hert, Marc; & Jones, Michael. (2001). The clinical value of risperidone and olanzapine: a meta-analysis of efficacy and safety. International….....

Show More ⇣

     Open the full completed essay and source list


OR

     Order a one-of-a-kind custom essay on this topic


Related Essays

A Schizophrenia Brochure for Floridians

DSM-V The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V) states that schizophrenia is a mental disorder that causes the patient to experience hallucinations, delusions, irrational speech patterns, anti-social behavior, a loss of willpower/motivation, a possible catatonic state at times, and more. This broad spectrum of symptoms should be seen for at least a month, with behavior being monitored for up to six months. Schizophrenia Who is Affected ? According to the World Health Organization, about 24 million people around the world are affected by schizophrenia. Men are 1.4 times more likely to suffer from schizophrenia than women The prime age group… Continue Reading...

sample essay writing service

Cite This Resource:

Latest APA Format (6th edition)

Copy Reference
"Schizophrenia Is A Mental Disorder" (2009, November 12) Retrieved June 3, 2026, from
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/schizophrenia-mental-disorder-17564

Latest MLA Format (8th edition)

Copy Reference
"Schizophrenia Is A Mental Disorder" 12 November 2009. Web.3 June. 2026. <
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/schizophrenia-mental-disorder-17564>

Latest Chicago Format (16th edition)

Copy Reference
"Schizophrenia Is A Mental Disorder", 12 November 2009, Accessed.3 June. 2026,
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/schizophrenia-mental-disorder-17564
   

Open, View, and/or
Download this Document
order custom essay example