Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Schizophrenia- Causes and Treatment

Expert Author Tali Shenfield
Schizophrenia is one of the least culturally understood mental disorders. For example, a common belief is that schizophrenia means split personality; which it doesn't. The term was originated by Eugen Bleuler, a Swiss psychiatrist, in 1911. It actually means "split mind" from the Greek "schizo" meaning split and "phrene" meaning mind. It was created to describe the type of thinking that someone suffering from schizophrenia exhibited, not multiple personalities. The original term for schizophrenia was "dementia praecox" which means "early dementia." This comes from Dr. Emile Kraepelin who was one of the first to recognize the disorder. The name was to distinguish the disorder from late in life mental disorders such as Alzheimer's. The reason for the many technical names for different disorders is that scientists often do not have a full understanding of the causes of mental diseases and can only classify them by symptoms.
The cause of schizophrenia is still unknown, but its affects on the brain are clear in numerous tests, including MRI. So, schizophrenia can be easily diagnosed with the proper equipment. While the cause is still a mystery, there are indications that both genetics and brain chemistry play a role. Another important factor is drug abuse. Drugs like nicotine, marijuana, cocaine and alcohol all have an effect and the abuse of such substances can greatly impede treatment. So, it's important to ensure that schizophrenic patients are kept strictly away from recreational drugs.
Although those with a family history of schizophrenia are more likely to develop it, depression, chronic stress, anxiety and traumatic life events can also trigger the onset of the disorder.
Visual and auditory hallucinations are a feature of schizophrenia, although not in every case. Other significant symptoms are the inability to rationally assess the environment or to rationally understand interactions with other people, which may result in extreme paranoia and lack of trust.
Other symptoms include apathy, poor concentration, withdrawal, difficulty in speaking or movement disorders or a poor ability to express emotions. Nevertheless, it should be kept in mind that other disorders, even very mild ones, can cause some of these symptoms. And so, the symptoms alone do not necessarily signify schizophrenia. People should avoid self-diagnosis. And it should be remembered that one of the hallmarks of schizophrenia is the inability to notice the disorder in oneself. So, if you think that you have schizophrenia, you probably don't. When in doubt, consult a professional.
There are five subtypes of schizophrenia. These are the Paranoid subtype which is typified by delusions of persecution and conspiracy along with auditory hallucinations. Those who suffer from this subtype can often appear normal, or at least what is accepted as normal.
There is Disorganized Schizophrenia which exhibits disorganized thinking and difficulty in performing normal tasks such as bathing and dressing. While symptoms of delusion and hallucination may exist in this subtype, they are not as severe. The other three types are Catatonic, Residual and Undifferentiated.
Disorganized, Catatonic and Residual were all categories originally proposed by Kraepelin.
Diagnosis of schizophrenia usually involves a psychological evaluation including collecting information on the individuals mental health, information on his or her family, understanding the patients medical situation, such as what prescription drugs they might be taking, as well as social and cultural influences. Lab tests are also performed including a complete blood count (CBC), imaging of the brain through MRI and CTs and screening for drugs and alcohol.
Anti-psychotics are presently the best form of treatment, as they help balance neurotransmissions within the brain. But they do have side effects, including weight gain and tremors.
The person diagnosed with schizophrenia will also need the attendance, guidance and understanding of family members if he or she is to get better.
About the Author:
Dr. Tali Shenfield is a child psychologist accredited by The Ontario College of Psychologists. She is an expert in clinical and educational psychology and provides psychological assessment and psychotherapy for clients age 4-20.

Living With Bipolar

Expert Author Gerald L Bouthner
I have suffered with Bipolar for over 20 years. Bipolar disorder usually first occurs between the ages of 15 - 30 years, with an average age of onset at 25 years. I was 27 years old when I started noticing my Bipolar symptoms. However, bipolar disorder can affect people of all ages, including children. Bipolar disorder frequently occurs within families. Family members of patients with bipolar disorder are also more likely to have other psychiatric disorders. They include schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, anxiety disorders, ADHD, and major depression. This is true in my case, my Grandmother was schizophrenic, and my mom is bipolar.
I also had just about all of the classic symptoms of bipolar:
• Decreased interest in friends and activities >yes
• Difficulty concentrating >yes
• A drop in grades or frequent absences from school >yes
• Complaints of tiredness or boredom
• Vague physical symptoms, such as unexplained aches and
pains
• Changes in sleep patterns, such as insomnia or oversleeping >yes
• Increased crankiness, hostility, or anger >yes
• Outbursts of shouting or crying
• Reckless behavior >yes
• Alcohol or drug abuse >yes
• Trouble getting along with others >yes
• Social withdrawal >yes
• Hypersensitivity to rejection or failure >yes
• Self-injurious behavior or talk of suicide
As many as 90% of marriages involving someone with bipolar disorder reportedly fail.
Bipolar disorder puts a huge additional strain on a relationship, particularly when you don't have a diagnosis. In my two marriages, I never openly stated what was wrong with me medically. I also did not seriously pursue treatment for my bipolar. Bipolar disorder causes significant psychosocial morbidity, because it frequently affects patients' relationships with family members as well as workplace functioning.
A recent community survey investigated the impact of bipolar disorder on people's lives, using the Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ) as a screening instrument. Subjects screening positive for bipolar disorder on the MDQ reported significantly more work and relationship problems and a greater burden of comorbid medical illness than subjects who were negative for bipolar disorder. Significantly more respondents with positive screens for bipolar disorder had been arrested, convicted, or jailed for a crime compared with respondents with negative screens for bipolar disorder.
Before my Bipolar, I was very active in studying the bible. I even became a Ministerial Servant, and was considered a potential Elder for the congregation. My mental illness Bipolar, sapped out all the discernment I had for the scriptures. I use to have very deep conversations about the bible. Bipolar caused me to now avoid, even the simplest spiritual discussions. I use to feel very close to God, Bipolar caused me to withdraw into a shell, even with God.
I use to be a very successful sales person. Every sales organization I joined, in very short time, I climbed to the top. Before my Bipolar, I was a very sharp and personable person. For me, my Bipolar affects me very severely, as to my thinking ability. My brain feels like there is a cloud or fog encompassing it. Besides, how can you succeed at sales anymore, when your mental illness makes you just want to stay home in bed? I tried for many years to manage my Bipolar out in the workforce, but in the end Bipolar got the best of me.
Worst of all, Bipolar affected my relationships, with the people I dearly loved. Bipolar caused me to withdraw emotionally from those I loved. I lost my first marriage, because she was very deep into the bible and I no longer felt the same spiritual connection. I met her in the congregation, she was a wonderful wife, and devoted person. When I withdrew from God, I also withdrew from her. My mental illness also helped ruin my second marriage. She too, was a very nice person, even meeting me at the door when I arrived home from work, because she wanted to. My Bipolar was getting progressively worst at this point. I begin extremely isolating myself. I would spend all my time alone in the basement, severely affecting my marriage. Eventually, my bipolar again assisted in my losing someone I truly loved.
Today, I am 47 years old. I struggle daily, to live a happy and successful life despite my living with severe Bipolar. Unfortunately, it's the hand I was dealt. I have Bipolar, and it's not going anywhere. I now work at home as a customer service agent. I do have a significant other. I still believe in creation, but am not active at all in practicing religion.
http://mentalhealthlivingwithbipolar.blogspot.com
You can follow my continuing story at http://mentalhealthlivingwithbipolar.blogspot.com

Texting- The Worst Addiction

Expert Author Viktoria Michaelis
The world is filled with temptations, from the seemingly ordinary - new shoes and clothes, chocolate and cakes - through to pornography and everything which falls under the broad description of the Seven Sins. Our daily lives are confronted with material and fantasy which attracts our attention, diverts our thoughts and creates a, mostly temporary, need or desire. It is, however, seemingly rare that what tempts us actually takes such a hold on our lives that we become addicted, that we cannot walk by without stopping, without purchasing or, in our highly technological world, testing. There is also a very fine line between someone who is addicted to something, be it a product, a service or a person, and someone who collects and concentrates their interests on one particular subject or range of items, between a stalker and someone who has a strong, knowledgeable interest.
Communication is the buzzword of our generation. Society, or so it seems to many, demands that we be constantly available, that anyone who needs to can reach us, communicate with us, no matter where we are or what we happen to be doing. Our world has become one where we are available, or at least reachable, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Those who are not, those who switch their telephone off or go offline, when using a computer, revert to some form of primeval being out of touch with the rest of the world.
This constant availability, the need to remain in touch at all times of the day and night, has brought a new form of addiction with it: an addiction to impersonal contact; an addiction to communication other than face to face; an addiction to texting, to sexting (text messages of a predominantly sexual and sexually explicit nature), to services such as Twitter and, to a lesser extent, Facebook. It has almost created a younger generation incapable of speaking one to another, constantly checking their cell phones for new messages where those who are not available, who do not reply immediately to texts or, worse still, do not possess a cell phone, are outsiders. It is practically impossible to walk down any high street, to go into any store or popular restaurant and avoid people checking their cell phones, typing in messages, being distracted from life around them. When a cell phone beeps, rings or plays one of thousands of specially adapted tunes, countless people reach into their pockets, ignoring all about them, and check to see if it is for them, if someone is trying to contact, communicate, with them.
It has long been recognized that using a cell phone, especially when driving or even riding on a bicycle, is dangerous. It distracts from the task at hand and, through this distraction, can be a threat to not only the person controlling a vehicle, but also to everyone else in their vicinity. In many countries, the use of a cell phone, even the holding of it in your hand, whether it is actually in use or not, is an offense punishable with a fine.
Can texting be described as an addiction or is it merely a welcome distraction from other events, a sign of close friendship or availability for any eventuality? It is clearly addictive. Many telecommunications companies have recognized the potential of texting, attracting ever younger customers to their services, and offer telephone rates specifically for those wishing to text. A certain number of texts included in the basic price, a certain number of minutes online without extra costs right through to rates which boast unlimited texting. The boom in texting, in the use of smart phones capable of communicating through text or online as well as with the old-fashioned form of talking, has resulted in an overload to many telecommunication networks, with constant outages and service unavailability. New services, better cell phones, more and complicated access have done nothing to ease this situation, in fact quite the opposite, and have fuelled the rise in numbers of those texting.
Society sets certain restrictions on each and every one of us. There are times when it is considered unacceptable to telephone with someone else, when full attention to the task at hand is required and demanded. In school classrooms, in the work place, whilst driving, during times when we are with other people, enjoying a social event, a concert or visiting family. The text message seems to over ride these restrictions. Just a quick look to see if it is anything important, just in case, no matter where we are, no matter what we are doing. It only takes a moment. And then, even when it is the most banal message, a moment to quickly reply, rather than have the other person, the person sending the message, think they are being ignored. We are available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, so an immediate reply is expected. The rudeness of interrupting a meeting, a gathering, other people enjoying a concert is less than the perceived rudeness of not replying to a text message immediately, and any message which follows it.
The signs of addiction are clear: a cell phone which cannot be switched off, just in case; a nervous twitch whenever a cell rings or beeps, even if it is not your own; constant checking to see if you have missed anything, if the cell didn't ring or beep or, heaven forbid, someone in real life had distracted you enough that this ring or beep went unnoticed; a cell phone which is constantly within reach, on the breakfast table, the desk at work, on the table in a restaurant during dinner.
There are also physical signs of addiction: slightly malformed thumbs, something which used to be a sign that a person was constantly playing video games with a console and controller; difficulty in moving fingers, which can become cramped up against any other movement but that of typing into a small screen, on a miniature keyboard; lack of concentration to all that is going on around you right down to a slightly bent walking manner, brought on by constantly looking down at a small screen to read one text or another. In later years such addictions may bring short-sightedness, tired eyes which have concentrated so long on the cell phone screen they can no longer focus effectively on anything further than three yards distant.
Can texting really be described as the 'worst addiction'? There are many different levels of addiction, many different forms of addict. Often it depends on the subject matter; a person addicted to chocolate, for example, is probably more socially unacceptable in polite society, or young society, than someone who constantly texts. A person addicted to pornography, regardless of its form or content, is more secretive and withdrawn. Someone who is addicted to texting, who cannot go more than a few minutes without checking to see if something new has been received or who, no matter when they last spoke to a person, feels the need to contact them again and again, is effectively withdrawn from society whilst, physically, still being present.
Texting can be described as the worst addiction simply because it removes a person from the reality around them; from the real society they are sharing with other real people, into a world where a few lines of text are far more important than conversation. It distracts from the pleasures of talking to other people. It disturbs, in certain circumstances, those around them. It leads, when there are no messages, to a feeling of desolation, to a belief that they are being ignored or cut off, to a feeling of intense frustration when a text sent is not replied to immediately. It replaces, in the worst cases, real life conversation. It can be highly dangerous, according to the situation, both for the person texting and for those around them. Texting is considered to be a social attribute where, in reality, it is an anti-social addiction which should be handled in the same manner as any other serious addiction, with care, education and understanding.
Viktoria Michaelis is an American student (born July 1992) currently resident in Germany studying Business Studies and Economics at Bremen University. She has had fictional works published in several anthologies and regularly writes in her personal Blog. Her collected articles are available to read at Viktoria Michaelis on a wide range of subjects from Beauty and Health, Politics and Copyright through to Women's Issues and Adult subjects.