Alysa Wall

BIOL-1090
Professor Green
Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a mental illness in which the individual affected is unable to distinguish
fantasy from reality. They also have a difficult time thinking clearly, making rational decisions,
and controlling their emotions. It is, unfortunately, a fairly common mental illness affecting one
percent of U.S. citizens. On average, schizophrenia usually presents itself when the individual
affected is in their late teens to early thirties. Schizophrenia can present itself at any age although
it is rare for someone to be diagnosed with schizophrenia under the age of twelve or above the
age of forty. (https://www.nami.org/Learn-More/Mental-Health-Conditions/Schizophrenia)
Schizophrenia presents itself slightly different in men and women. The age of onset is
later in females and the symptoms tend to affect them more. However, women tend to be better
at functioning socially. Of course, there are often exceptions to these tendencies. (Diagnostic and
Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-Fifth Edition)
There are four different types of schizophrenia. There is paranoid schizophrenia which is
when the individual feels very suspicious, judged, or impressive. Another type is disorganized
schizophrenia which makes the individual with the illness speak and think incoherently. The
third type is catatonic schizophrenia which is when the individual doesnt talk, is withdrawn and
negative, and frequently takes on strange body positions. The last type is called residual
schizophrenia. This is when the person no longer has delusions or hallucinations, but is not
motivated or interested in anything.
(http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/conditions/schizophrenia)
A common misconception is that schizophrenia is a multiple personality disorder. This is
not true. People also believe that most schizophrenics are violent, but the majority are not violent
at all and are not a threat. Another misconception is that schizophrenia is caused by a childhood
trauma or bad parenting. People are surprisingly misinformed about schizophrenia and how it
effects those who have it. (http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/conditions/schizophrenia)
Individuals with schizophrenia are often misdiagnosed. There are certain mental illnesses
that have similar symptoms to those of schizophrenia. These mental illnesses include delusional
disorder, major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and
posttraumatic stress disorder. There are mental illnesses that are extremely similar to
schizophrenia and only differ by a few symptoms. These include schizoaffective disorder,
schizophreniform disorder, brief psychotic disorder, and schizotypal personality disorder. All
these similar symptoms make schizophrenia hard to diagnose. (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual
of Mental Disorders-Fifth Edition)
What causes schizophrenia is still unknown. There are many theories as to what causes
this mental illness, but most scientists believe that it is caused by both genetic and environmental
factors. Scientists believe that problems with certain chemicals in the brain may play a part in

causing schizophrenia. These chemicals include dopamine and glutamate. Scientists have also
noticed that there is a difference in the structure of the brain as well as the central nervous system
in those with schizophrenia. (http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseasesconditions/schizophrenia/basics/causes/con-20021077)
The first signs of schizophrenia are similar to teenage behavior, making it difficult to
diagnose teens. These signs include changing friends, grades dropping, and becoming irritated
easily. Other signs include strange thoughts and suspicions. (https://www.nami.org/LearnMore/Mental-Health-Conditions/Schizophrenia) When diagnosing this mental illness, doctors
must see two or more of these five symptoms: delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech,
catatonic or extremely disorganized behavior, and negative behavior. Each of the symptoms must
be present for a large portion of time occurring in a period of one month. At least one of the two
symptoms must be delusions, hallucinations, or disorganized speech. Psychotic symptoms tend
to lessen over the course of life. (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-Fifth
Edition)
Individuals with schizophrenia commonly have subtle neurological irregularities such as
impairments in body movements and the way the nervous system receives messages from the
senses, confusion between left and right, and minor physical abnormalities of the face or limbs
can occur. There are also some differences we cant see just by looking at someone with
schizophrenia, such as differences in cellular architecture and a reduced overall brain volume.
(Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-Fifth Edition)
The risk of suicide is high in those with schizophrenia. About twenty percent of
individuals with schizophrenia have attempted to commit suicide at least once and even more
have considered it. Five to six percent succeed in taking their own life. Some individuals are
simply responding to hallucinations that are telling them to hurt themselves. The risk of suicide
stays high throughout the entire lifespan of an individual with schizophrenia. (Diagnostic and
Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-Fifth Edition)
There is currently no cure for schizophrenia, but there are treatments. Since schizophrenia
is a lifelong illness, one must receive treatments for the rest of their life. Medications and therapy
can help manage the illness. The most common form of medication prescribed are
antipsychotics. Some people with schizophrenia refuse to take medication for their illness
because they can have very serious side effects. However, side effects are rare. Most people with
schizophrenia need some type of daily support. Through proper treatment and support most
people who suffer from schizophrenia are able to manage their illness.
(http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/schizophrenia/basics/treatment/con-20021077)

Reflection
Doing this assignment really opened my eyes. I had no idea how misinformed I was
about schizophrenia and those who have it. My sister works at a wellness recovery center and
shes always telling me about how television shows and movies portray those with
schizophrenics is so wrong. I didnt realize how right she was until I wrote this paper. Im glad I
understand these individuals better and I think everyone should. People should put in the effort to
understand. People with schizophrenia deserve our understanding, sympathy, and support. Im
grateful for what Ive learned while writing this paper.

Works Cited
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https://www.nami.org/Learn-More/Mental-Health-Conditions/Schizophrenia
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-Fifth Edition
http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/conditions/schizophrenia
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/schizophrenia/basics/causes/con20021077
5. https://www.nami.org/Learn-More/Mental-Health-Conditions/Schizophrenia
6. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/schizophrenia/basics/treatment/con20021077