Understanding Schizophrenia Essay -- Essays on Schizophrenia

  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  "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 I became increasingly withdrawn and sullen.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 the patient help and treatment a schizophrenic can lead a full life.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Schizophrenia is defined as any of a group of psychotic reactions characterized by withdrawal from reality with highly variable affective, behavioral and intellectual disturbances by the American Heritage Dictionary. No definition of schizophrenia can adequately describe all people with this illness. Schizophrenia is an extremely complex mental illness. It is clear that schizophrenia is a disease which makes it difficult for the person with the illness to decide what is real and what is not (Swados 5). It is also clear that this brain disease affects normal, intelligent people in all walks of life. There are six concrete phrases that describe schizophrenia: it is a real disease, has concrete and specific symptoms, is different from other mental illnesses, is the result of flaws brain biochemistry, may be treated by specific antipsychotic drugs, and is almost always treatable.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Scientist are unsure of the causes of schizophrenia, although research is progressing rapidly. Scientist are almost certain that schizophrenia has more than one cause. One cause could be a chemical imbalance. An imbalance of the brain's chemical system has long been suspected as the main cause of the illness (Youth 2). A second cause could be stress. Most authorities disagree that severe stress can cause the illness. Stress can however, worsen the symptoms when the illness is already present. A third cause could possibly be genetic predisposition. Genetic transmission has yet to be proven even though schizophrenia tends to run is some families(Youth 3). F... ...hould have an interest in the illness, be competent, and has empathy with the patients. If there is any apprehension about the physician/psychiatrist the family has the right to get a second opinion. Assisting the doctor/psychiatrist is the third step of getting treatment. Since patients with the illness may not volunteer much information during the assessment, the family should speak to the doctor or write a letter. In some cases, it may be necessary to send written information. The information that is supplied will greatly assist the physician to make an accurate assessment and outline a suitable course of action.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Presently schizophrenia is not a "curable" disease, but is controllable (Youth 15). The treatment of schizophrenia could possibly be medication. Most patients with schizophrenia must regularly take maintenance medication to keep the illness under control. It is difficult for the doctor/psychiatrist to know which medication will work best for a given individual. Many changes in type of drug and dosage may be required. This period of trial and error can be extremely trying for everyone involved. Some medications have unusual and difficult side effect