Biological Psychology: Schizophrenia

Introduction

Schizophrenia is a mental disorder that is characterized by delusions, hallucinations, and distorted thinking. The exact cause of schizophrenia is unknown, but it is believed to be a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Schizophrenia has been described throughout history, with the first known case dating back to the mid-6th century BC. In ancient times, it was considered as being caused by a range of factors (from environmental to spiritual) (Kyziridis, 2005). However, it was not until the early 19th century that schizophrenia began to be recognized as a distinct mental disorder. In 1809, a French physician named Philippe Pinel first described schizophrenia as a mental derangement but Emil Kraepelin is generally regarded as first to conceptualize schizophrenia. The term itself, however, was coined in 1911 by Eugen Bleuler, who introduced the term schizophrenia (based on the Greek root words meaning split mind) (Kyziridis, 2005). Today, the DSM-5 conceptualizes schizophrenia as a mental disorder characterized by abnormal thinking, emotions, and behaviors. People with schizophrenia may experience hallucinations and delusions (Swingler, 2013). They may also have disorganized speech and think in ways that are hard to understand. Schizophrenia can be a very disabling condition, making it difficult for people to function in work, school, or social situations. However, with treatment, many people with schizophrenia are able to lead productive lives. Over the centuries, there have been many different theories about what causes schizophrenia. This paper will describe the development of the disorder, provide a biological and psychological perspective of theories and causes, discuss treatments, and describe the experience of what it is like living with a schizophrenic family member and its challenges.

Development of the Disorder

The exact cause of schizophrenia is unknown, but it is believed to be a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Owen et al. (2016) refer to it as a complex, heterogeneous behavioral and cognitive syndrome that seems to originate from disruption of brain development caused by genetic or environmental factors, or both (p. 86). Research suggests that schizophrenia may be caused by changes in brain structure and function. Symptoms of schizophrenia typically begin in early adulthood, with men often developing the disorder at a younger age than women (Patel et al., 2014). According to Andreasen (2000), there is a phenotype that mutates causing schizophrenia: the phenotype should be defined on the basis of abnormalities in neural circuits and a fundamental cognitive process (p. 106). Others posit that schizophrenia is inheritable, while still others suggest it develops in response to ones environment (Van Os et al., 2010). What is most likely is that schizophrenia results from a conflagration of factors, starting at a crucial stage of development depicted by Erikson as the crisis point the conflict between identity and role confusion during the adolescent stage of psychosocial development (Shriner & Shriner, 2014). It is during this pivotal stage of development that the individual can experience sharp psychosocial stress that could potentially overwhelm proper ordering of chemical pathways in the brain and lead to the progressive debilitation of daily functioning until the individual displays symptoms consistent with a schizophrenia diagnosis.

Biological/Psychological Perspective of Theories and Causes

Heritability and environmental factors are respective biological and psychological perspectives on theories for why schizophrenia occurs. The biological perspective of schizophrenia is underpinned by the theory that the disorder is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain. According to this view, schizophrenia is the result of a defect in the brain's ability to produce or process certain neurotransmitters. This theory is supported by evidence that schizophrenic symptoms can be relieved by antipsychotic medication, which works by correcting the chemical imbalance (Andreasen, 2000).

The heritability perspective emphasizes the role of genetics in the etiology of the disorder, while the environmental perspective emphasizes the role of therapy and early intervention. Though there is no definitive answer as to which perspective is correct, both perspectives have some merit. For example, studies that compare identical and fraternal twins suggest that genetics does play a role in the development of schizophrenia (Chapter 4, 2016; Patel et al., 2014). However, environmental factors such as exposure to stress or trauma may also be contributors. Additionally, it is worth noting that heritability and...

…emotional and practical support to their loved ones. They can provide a listening ear, offer words of encouragement, help with daily tasks, and avocate for their rights. In addition, they can also provide financial support if necessary. By providing love and understanding, family members can play an important role in the life of someone with schizophrenia.

Still, overall, the challenges of living with a schizophrenic family member are numerous. First and foremost, there is the issue of safety. Schizophrenics often suffer from delusions and paranoia, which can lead to violent outbursts. As a result, family members always have to be on guard, especially if the person is not yet diagnosed; family members may not understand what is happening and they will never know when the person might lash out. Additionally, there can be heavy financial strain caused by the persons condition. The individual would likely be unable to work, and if employed it would become harder for the person to manage to hold down the job until diagnosed and treated. Finally, there is the emotional toll of living with someone with mental illness. This can wear down all family members as they deal with stress in different ways and try to cope with the adversity.

However, the best way of overcoming this challenge is to get the family member diagnosed and to begin treatment. The best form of treatment will combine pharmacological intervention with cognitive behavioral therapy (Patel et al., 2014). Family members can receive support from support groups, too. The more informed that everyone is, the easier it becomes to recognize danger signs and make adjustments so that all involved can get back to leading productive, functioning lives.

Conclusion

Schizophrenia is a serious mental illness that affects about 1% of the population. The exact cause of schizophrenia is unknown, but it is thought to be a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Symptoms of schizophrenia include delusions, hallucinations, disordered thinking, and problems with emotion and behavior. Schizophrenia can be very disabling, making it difficult for those affected to function in day-to-day life. Treatment for schizophrenia typically includes medication and psychotherapy, and family members can…