Schizophrenia Case

As a trained psychologist, I will be discussing schizophrenia and the disorder's casual factors, associated symptoms, the areas of the brain it affects, and the neural basis of the disorder. I will continue on to discuss appropriate drug therapies. In addition I will also be reviewing two separate case studies, each on a different disorder. I will be examining each problem from the perspective of a bio psychologist. I will define the patient's diagnosis at length I will relate each case to the nature-nurture theory, and talk about any helpful drug interventions or solutions for each disorder. When talking about drug intervention, it is also important to discuss the positive and negative effects that the drugs may have on the patient. Lastly I will discuss any treatment methods that have been found through research to be effective for both disorders.

The causes of schizophrenia have been the subject of much debate, with various factors proposed and discounted. Studies suggest that genetics, prenatal development, early environment, neurobiology and psychological and social processes are important contributory factors. We inherit our genes from both parents. Scientists believe several genes are associated with an increased risk of schizophrenia, but that no gene causes the disease by itself. In addition, factors such as prenatal difficulties like intrauterine starvation or viral infections, perinatal complications, and various nonspecific stressors, seem to influence the development of schizophrenia. However, it is not yet understood how the genetic predisposition is transmitted, and it cannot yet be accurately predicted whether a given person will or will not develop the disorder. Other recent studies suggest that schizophrenia may result in part when a certain gene that is key to making important brain chemicals malfunctions. This problem may affect the part of the brain involved in developing higher functioning skills. Research into this gene is ongoing, so it is not yet possible to use the genetic information to predict who will develop the disease.

If you are concerned about a loved one possibly having schizophrenia there are some symptoms that you can look out for. Usually with schizophrenia, the person's inner world and behavior change notably. Behavior changes might include the following, social withdrawal, depersonalization (intense anxiety and a feeling of being unreal), loss of appetite, loss of hygiene, delusions, hallucinations and the sense of being controlled by outside forces. A person with schizophrenia may not have any outward appearance of being ill. In other cases, the illness may be more apparent, causing bizarre behaviors. For example, a person with schizophrenia may wear aluminum foil in the belief that it will stop one's thoughts from being broadcast and protect against malicious waves entering the brain. The symptoms of schizophrenia can be grouped into the following categories.

* Positive