Another recent theory of schizophrenia are along the lines of metabolic brain changes in patterns and activities, as well as ?over-perfusion of blood, others to under-perfusion?. One similar discovery in London, England found evidence of altered blood flow in the prefrontal cortex of the brain, the part most linked with human social behaviour. When there is too much blood in one area, and presumably brain cell activity, while the other area had to little the crossed circuits may cause hallucinations, delusions and loss of self-control. Therefore, schizophrenia can be the result of more than just one problem of the brain, and most likely is.
To find answers many researches study data and statistics. In 1988 a study was done on children born to women who had been pregnant during a severe flu epidemic in Helsinki, Finland, in 1957. Dr. Sarnoff Mednick, a psychologist at the University of California, found that the children of mothers who had caught the flu in the second trimester of pregnancy, the time when the neural subplate goes into action, were at a higher rate of developing schizophrenia as adults. This bit of information had further contributed to the theory that virus? do have an influence over the chance of one to develop schizophrenia.
Medical research has contributed a lot to our understanding of schizophrenia. Perhaps one day a cure for this common and devastating disease will be developed.
Conclusion
Schizophrenia is a very common disease, and it is fortunate that nowadays it is less misunderstood. We have acquired a better knowledge of schizophrenia and have learned that it is indeed a very serious and frightening medical illness. The disease itself is not fatal, but can lead to death. 10% of all people who get schizophrenia commit suicide. Many people with the disease end up in poverty as well, for example, one third of the homeless population is America suffers from schizophrenia. This shows that the symptoms of schizophrenia stop people from living normal lives, as they end up alienating themselves. For this reason, a lot treatment with support is necessary for somebody with schizophrenia. The best way to make someone feel better is to let them know that they are worthy. Schizophrenia will continue to victimize millions. Our health care system can feel the effects of schizophrenia, as it is the largest contributor to the cost of hospitalization, and it costs Canada well over $2 billion per year. Fortunately, at least there is some sort of treatment for this serious and misunderstood disease. As we continue to perform further medical research we hope that one day there will be a cure for schizophrenia. Until then, it is important that everyone has a good knowledge of the topic and be aware that it is quite common and it is not what most people think it is.
Photos
Paranoid schzizophrenics are often become suspicious of others.
People with catatonic schizophrenia are sometimes left immobilized for long periods of time.
Expressed emotion in families has been associated with schizophrenia.
Bibliography
1) Bibbo, Kimberly ?Change In View: Schizophrenia Moves From Psychology to Biology?. http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/bb/neuro/neuro99/web1/Bibbo.html
2) Andreasen, Nancy C ?Understanding the Causes of Schizophrenia?. http://www.nejm.org/content/1999/0340/0008/0645.asp
3) ?More Evidence of Physical Cause of Schizophrenia?. http://www.schizophrenia.com/newsletter/697/697physical.htm
4) ?Several genes confirmed as responsible for schizophrenia and manic depressive illness?. http://www.schizophrenia.com/newsletter/397/397genes.html
5) ?Roots of schizophrenia may lie in development of fetal brain?. http://www.schizophrenia.com/news/causes2.html
6) ?Many Americans with Untreated Psychiatric Illnesses Have Nowhere to Go Homelessness: Tragic Side Effect of Non-Treatment?. http://www.psychlaws.org/General%20Resources/fact10.htm
7) ?An Introduction of Schizophrenia?. http://www.schizophrenia.com/family/schizintro.html
8) ?Schizophrenia ? Understanding the Disease?. Canadian Mental Health Association.
9) Perrotto, Richard S. ; Culkin, Joseph. ?Exploring Abnormal Psychology?.
10) ?Understanding Schizophrenia? ? Ontario Ministry of Health.
Table of Contents
Page
Introduction1
What is Schizophrenia3
Causes of Schizophrenia7
Symptoms of Schizophrenia10
Treatment and Solutions14
Recent News About Schizophrenia16
Conclusion18
Photos19
Bibliography21