Schizophrenia and Memory

Abstract

The symptoms of this disorder include delusions, hallucinations, speech problems and disorganized thinking. Antipsychotic medicine is used for treatment in this disease. It is used to suppress dopamine or serotonin receptor activity. The life expectancy of these patients falls to more than ten years less than normal one. Memory is also severely infected by this disease.

Literal Meanings of Schizophrenia

The word schizophrenia is derived from two Greek words. These are skhizein which means to split or to open and phren which means mind. So literally the term means split mind. This disease although is entirely different from having a split personality. Rather it refers to the fact that the thought processes are split in this disease.

Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a very famous mental disorder. It is identified by a breakdown of thought structures and processes. It is also accompanied by poor emotional responses. The symptoms of this disorder include delusions, hallucinations, speech problems and disorganized thinking. It is also accompanied by a severe discrepancy in social and occupational functionality. The symptoms of this disease appear at the start of adulthood. Its diagnosis is performed by observing patient's behavior and noting down his or her experiences (Weinberger & Harrison 2011). There are many different factors responsible for the onset of this disease. These include genetics, neurobiology, social and psychological procedures. Some drugs can also cause symptoms to appear or get more remarked. Neurobiology is the most important factor involved regarding this disease. As there are many symptoms of this disease which are also common to many other diseases, it is difficult to identify the disease at an early stage (Weinberger & Harrison 2011).

Antipsychotic medicine is used for treatment in this disease. It is used to suppress dopamine or serotonin receptor activity. Psychotherapy is also used in the orthodox treatment methods. Social and professional rehabilitation is also recommended in schizophrenia. In serious cases, hospitalization is also required. This prevents a patient doing any harm to himself or people close to the patient (Maj & Satorius 2002).

This mental disorder seriously affects the cognitive abilities of a person. It also usually leads to chronic problems of emotions and behavior. People having schizophrenia may also suffer from many other parallel disorders. This causes depression and anxiety in patients. The substance abuse chances are raised to fifty percent in this disease. Many social problems can also surface for patients suffering with this condition. Unemployment, loss of home and poverty are common social problems among them. The life expectancy of these patients falls to more than ten years less than normal one. This expectancy is also based on the fact that no other mental disease is contracted by the patient. These patients also have an increased suicide tendency (Weinberger & Harrison 2011).

Causes of Schizophrenia

Many factors are responsible for causing the disease of schizophrenia. Environmental and genetic factors usually combine to produce this disease. People with a family history of schizophrenia are more at risk for this disease. Some major causes of the disease are discussed below in ...