Analyzing Psychological Disorders

Introduction

The biopsychologist will implement the biological approach to psychology in the attempt to study psychological diseases and disorders as well as in the diagnosis and treatment of individual's suffering from such diseases and disorders. The following will include the analysis of the disorder known as Schizophrenia. The areas of brain affected, causal factors, associated symptoms, neural basis and appropriate drug therapies will be discussed. In addition, the disorders of Anorexia Nervosa and Generalized Anxiety Disorder will also be examined. Both the disorders of Anorexia Nervosa and Generalized Anxiety Disorder will be discussed for their relation to the nature-nurture issue and other appropriate theories of etiology. Possible drug therapies and alternative solutions will also be a focus of discussion.

Part A: Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is undoubtedly one of the most complex psychiatric disorders of all time. A disorder which name defines the "splitting of psychic functions (Pinel, 2007, p.481)", Schizophrenia often presents itself with a variety of characteristic symptoms including possible delusions, hallucinations, disorganized or incoherent speech, grossly disorganized or catatonic behavior patterns and negative symptoms (American Psychiatric Association, 2000). Social and occupational dysfunction often accompany these characteristic symptoms of Schizophrenia and the combination of function impairment and symptoms must persist in duration for a period of 6 months to warrant a diagnosis of Schizophrenia (American Psychiatric Association, 2000).

Causal Theories and Neural Basis

Various theories surround the causal factors related to the development of Schizophrenia. There is evidence that the disorder may result from genetic predisposition resulting from the Schizophrenia diagnosis in a close, first degree relative (Pinel, 2007). This predisposition, combined with experiences involving significant trauma or stress, may trigger the later development of the disorder. In addition, those with the genetic predisposition for Schizophrenia often show evidence which suggest neurodevelopment hindrances related to early infection, autoimmune reactions and toxin exposure which may increase the likelihood of developing the disorder (Pinel, 2007).

Alternate theory suggests Schizophrenia to have a connection to increased dopamine levels. Specific attention has been drawn to the D2 receptors. Research findings involving phenothiazines which bind to both D1 and D2 receptors and butyrophenones which bind only to the D2 receptors support that Schizophrenia is possibly caused by hyperactivity at the D2 receptor site and not dopamine receptor sites in general (Pinel, 2007). Although research related to the D2 receptor is substantive, the neural basis of the disorder may aid in further understanding of Schizophrenia (Pinel, 2007).

More recent research implies Schizophrenia to have a connection with more than the D2 receptors. Atypical neuroleptic drugs, which are not primary blockers of the D2 receptors, such as clozapine show only slight effect on the D2 receptors but increased effect on other receptors including the D1 and D4 receptors as well as multiple serotonin receptors (Pinel, 2007). In addition, the fact that neuroleptic drug therapy requires several weeks to alleviate the symptoms of Schizophrenia while effectively blocking the activity at the D2 receptors within only hours suggests blocking these receptors is not the key to the etiology of the disorder (Pinel, 2007). Furthermore, the neuroleptic therapies fail to help all individuals diagnosed with Schizophrenic disorder. While typically effective in treating the positive symptoms including incoherence, hallucinations and delusions the neuroleptic drugs are less effective in the treatment of negative symptoms related to affect, cognitive deficits and speech dysfunction. Therefore, the D2 theory of hyperactivity at the receptor site remains challenged by the fact that if this theory were complete both the positive and negative symptoms of the disorder would be alleviated by the neuroleptic therapies (Pinel, 2007).

Additional consideration revolving Schizophrenia etiology results from brain imaging studies which commonly evidence extensive abnormalities of the brain including small cerebral cortex and enlarged cerebral ventricles (Pinel, 2007). The results of these brain image studies lends further merit to the idea of early neural development issues as bearing connection to the development of Schizophrenia. Also notable in the Schizophrenia cases is the lack of normal brain laterality which the dopamine theory would fail to explain (Pinel, 2007).

Appropriate Drug Therapies

While psychotherapy and group or family therapy may aid in the success of treating the Schizophrenic patient these treatment options must be used in combination with effective drug therapy to address the complex symptoms related to the disorder (Grohol, 2008). Drug therapy also may require a combination of antipsychotic, antidepressant and anti anxiety medications to wholly manage and address the patients' range of symptoms (Grohol, 2008). Due to the likelihood of patient discontinuation of medication as a result of drug ineffectiveness or side effects which the patient finds intolerable drug therapy must be carefully considered and monitored throughout the course of treatment (Grohol, 2008).

Therapy should include proper patient education with regard to possible medication side effects, dosage and length of treatment with emphasis on coping strategies related to side effects. Patient medical history, current illness, age, target symptoms, compliance abilities and possible interactions of other drugs should also be assessed prior to developing a treatment plan (Bailey, 1998). Throughout treatment the patient progress should be monitored to address dosage adjustments, responsiveness to treatment, patient compliance with treatment and tolerance to side effects (Bailey, 1998).

Clozapine should be considered for the Schizophrenic individual as this pharmaceutical option has been shown to be more effective than many of the newer antipsychotic medications available (Grohol, 2008). It should be noted that many antipsychotic medications carry the risk of a plethora of troublesome side effects which will need to be monitored throughout the course of treatment. These side effects can include visual disturbances, gastrointestinal complaints, central nervous dysfunction, sedation, skin discoloration, and photosensitivity, reduced sweating ability or possible allergic reaction which may vary in severity and duration (Bailey, 1998).

Part B: Case Studies on Anorexia Nervosa and