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Essay / Research Paper Abstract
A 5 page discussion of the psychological condition of schizophrenia. The author emphasizes the importance of DSM IV criteria and psychological testing in distinguishing between the paranoid, disorganized, catatonic, and undifferentiated schizophrenic. Bibliography lists 5 sources.
Page Count:
5 pages (~225 words per page)
File: AM2_PPschizo3.rtf
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Unformatted sample text from the term paper:
Our concept of mental illness, how we diagnose and treat that illness has changed dramatically over time. For illnesses of such potential severity as schizophrenia diagnosis
and treatment were particularly concerning at various times in history. While modern medical professionals recognize drugs as a potential therapy for conditions such as schizophrenia, ancient treatments may have
even included such shocking practices as drilling holes in the skull of the patient in hopes that the "demons" inside them would be released (Wallis and Willwerth, 1992). Other
equally atrocious treatments included crude lobotomies, primitive electroshocking, and artificially-induced insulin shock therapy (Wallis and Willwerth, 1992). Even during the earlier part of the Twentieth Century mental illness was
a subject of considerable misunderstanding and little precise methodology in terms of either diagnosis or treatment. Fortunately, modern medicine has made tremendous progress in understanding schizophrenia, diagnosing the condition,
and treating it. Individuals who suffer from the psychological disorder of schizophrenia experience a variety of symptoms which can be categorized according to
specific criteria defined in the American Psychiatric Associations Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM IV). The DSM IV provides descriptions for various mental and psychological disorders and
breaks them down into diagnostic classes. Utilizing the DSM IV along with testing methodologies allows the practitioner a means of evaluating and classifying an individuals problems (Cormier and Cormier,
1991). Diagnosis of mental illnesses such as schizophrenia is made utilizing a multi-axial approach. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM
IV) lists five such axes. Schizophrenia, depression, anxiety disorders and other clinical syndromes are diagnosed on Axis I while personality disorders are diagnosed on Axis II (Deary, Peter, Austin,
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