Is Schizophrenia A Unique Mental Disorder - 1335 Words

One in four adults experience a mental health disorder every year. According to the Health Reference Series, schizophrenia affects 1.1% of the US population and the majority of those who suffer with schizophrenia go untreated or are unaware that they even have the disorder. Approximately 2,200,000 people in the United States suffer from schizophrenia, and they have a lifespan 20% shorter than those who do not have schizophrenia (Fentress, Moller 1). Schizophrenia is a unique mental disorder that is made up of distinctive characteristics, causes, signs and symptoms, and requires specific treatments. Blacks Medical Dictionary describes schizophrenia as â€Å"An overall title for a group of psychiatric disorders typified by disturbances in†¦show more content†¦Exposure to certain viruses, malnutrition during fetal development, and severe complications during childbirth can increase the chances of someone developing schizophrenia later in life (Richards 1). Stressful situations and environments during prenatal development may also be linked to this serious illness. According to Dr. Peter Buckley, exposure to infections in the womb such as Rubella and Toxoplasmosis can also increase the chances of someone developing this mental illness. Although a specific cause cannot be determined, neuroanatomical, neurophysiological, and neuroelectrical abnormalities, or problems can be identified in people with this disease (Fentress, Moller 1). This makes is easier for the disease to be diagnosed and treated. In order for schizophrenia to be diagnosed, the American Psychiatric Associations Diagnostic and Statistical Manual requires two symptoms to be present for a substantial amount of time during a 30 day period. It also requires major areas of functioning to decrease, with continuous signs for at least six months (Fentress, Moller 1). Three different types of symptoms characterize schizophrenia: positive, negative, and cognitive (Richards 1). Positive symptoms refer to an exaggeration of brain function. This can be characterized by unusual thoughts, hallucinations, and delusions. Hallucinations are things a person sees, hears, smells or feels that no other person can. Hearing â€Å"voices† is the most common