Chung 1

Andrew Chung
Dr. William Green
Human Biology 1090
November 21, 2014

Schizophrenia
What is schizophrenia? Schizophrenia is a mental disorder often characterized by
abnormal social behavior and failure to recognize what is real (Smith). Its a very serious
condition that shouldnt be taken for granted. There are many factors that contribute to
the illness. First is how you can know if someone has schizophrenia. Diagnosis is based
on observed behavior and the persons reported experiences (Schizophrenia).
Schizophrenia is a severe illness that affects a person in many ways and can be very
knowledgeable for those who are interested.
There are many common symptoms that occur of this illness including false
belief. Believing in something that is not real, something that can even be harmful to the
person. Other symptom are unclear of confused thinking, followed by auditory
hallucinations, reduced social engagement, emotional expression, and inactivity. All of
these common symptoms are all dangerous to schizophrenics and to the people around
them. Symptoms are serious, but it means nothing unless we know what causes the
condition (Schizophrenia).
The causes of schizophrenia have been identified as eight distinct genetic
disorder, (where genes work in clusters), which leads to the development of the multigenetic syndrome. Schizophrenia is a complex illness; mental health experts are not even

Chung 2
sure what causes it, but they do say that genes may play a role. Passed down from
generation to generation, affecting everyone in the family. Other causes are family
relationship, chemical imbalance in the brain, environment, and some drugs (Yoffee).
Schizophrenia occurs in just as many men as in women. It usually begins in the
teen years or young adulthood, but it may begin later in life. For women, it tends to begin
later and it is a milder condition. We now know when it happens to adults but what about
children? Schizophrenia in children usually begins after age five (Yoffee). Childhood
schizophrenia is rare and can be hard to tell apart from other developmental problems
such as autism.
Compared to schizophrenia, autism is very much alike to it. Autism is a
developmental disorder that appears in the first three years of life, and affects the brains
normal development of social and communication skills. Basically, anyone with either of
these illnesses cant talk or be friends with other people because the only person that
matters is himself or herself. Now the next step is to get treatment for schizophrenia.
During an episode of schizophrenia, the person may need to stay in the hospital
for safety reasons, safety for themselves and for others around them. Its very dangerous
for schizophrenics to be alone, so they should have a nurse who is trained to assist them
in their needs. Schizophrenics are also dangerous because they can hallucinate about
events that are not real; in turn they put themselves in danger and others who care for
them. Its in their best interest to be hospitalized for them own safety (Goldberg).
The next thing that they should do after being hospitalized is to take medication.
Medications are very important to their recovery and the main part of them getting better.

Chung 3
One type of medication that is used is antipsychotic medicines. Antipsychotic medicines
are the most effective treatment for schizophrenia. What they do is that they change the
balance of chemical in the brain and help control symptoms. Taking the antipsychotic
medicines is a good way of getting better, but there are common side effects, side effects
such as dizziness, sleepiness, and slowed movements. This is why schizophrenics should
be under watch because of what effects the medicine will produce (What).
Getting the side effects is a negative thing, but the positive side is that these side
effects can be managed. After being hospitalized and taking medication, the next step is
to join support groups and go to therapies (Smith). What these support groups usually do
is they help the person realize that there are more people in the world that carry the same
condition and theyre not in the fight alone. Going to therapy is another way of getting
better. Sitting down with a professional that can adapt themselves to the schizophrenics
so that the therapist sees the world through the patients mind. It really helps when they
know that people are out there willing to help them (Smith).
Ever wonder what it feels like to be distance from the world and no one
understands what you going through? Well, someone who has schizophrenia understands
it pretty well. Its not a condition that should be taken for granted. Anyone who has or
knows who has schizophrenia should get help right away. Exposure to long periods of
schizophrenia increases the risk of developing a problem with alcohol or drugs, develop a
physical illness, and even lead to suicide. Schizophrenia is not a condition that can go
away overnight, it takes time and commitment to decrease it and hopefully one day, it
will go away forever.

Chung 4
Work Cited
Goldberg, Joseph. What is Schizophrenia? Webmd.com. 13 Feb. 2014. Web. 21 Nov.
2014.
Schizophrenia. bbrfoundation.org. Brain and Behavior Research Foundation. 2013.
Web. 21 Nov. 2013.
Smith, Melinda, M.A., Segal, Jeanne, Ph.D. Understanding Schizophrenia
Helpguide.org. Nov. 2014. Web. 21 Nov. 2014.
What is Schizophrenia? Medicalnewstoday.com. MNT. 17 Sept. 2014. Web. 21 Nov.
2014.
Yoffee, Lynn. What is Schizophrenia? Everydayhealth.com. 2014. Web. 21 Nov. 2014.