Schizophrenia

Insane. Unhinged. Malicious. These words are what come to mind when most people envision schizophrenia because its synopsis has been reduced to hearing voices and delusions. Due to lack of education and awareness, most people are oblivious to the depth of damage this mental disorder proposes upon patients.

According to the article Childhood Schizophrenia by MB Casschetta (reviewed by Smitha Bhandari, M.D.), schizophrenia appears somewhat differently in developing adults and can be even more dangerous in pediatric patients. In extremely young kids, trouble utilizing motor skills, due to “floppy arms or legs” and “a limp or slumped posture,” can cause “delays in crawling, walking, or talking and long periods in which they’re sluggish or not active” (Casschetta). In older kids, a disconnect from reality may occur where the child cannot detect the difference between dreams and actuality. Fortunately, this is extremely rare as it affects approximately 0.4% of developing adults and children (Cleveland Clinic).

Although some people dismiss schizophrenics solely because of misunderstandings, there are others who choose to be ignorant and endorse harmful myths such as:

1. People with schizophrenia are the root of permeating violence and danger

2. Schizophrenics cannot be successful because they have trouble paying attention and retaining information

3. Schizophrenia is just the aftermath of an active imagination

4. Those who have schizophrenia belong in mental asylum

These myths have been proven false, yet people continue to uphold these misconceptions, further hurting schizophrenics (Watson).

Despite the root cause of the disorder remaining unknown, scientists and psychiatrists have narrowed it down to genetics, brain chemistry, nurture, and environment. Research around gene mutations, hereditary origin, and upbringing remains conceptual and theoretical as of now. On the contrary, doctors from the Mayo Clinic share the results of long going experiments which have enlightened us with the information that alterations within the dopamine and glutamate neurotransmitters may cause schizophrenic outburst.

Through centuries of research and worldly advancements, schizophrenic patients have medication they can use to gain control over their symptoms. Psychiatrists usually see schizophrenics to calm them and encourage them to take medication. In addition, they will prescribe antipsychotics in order to control dopamine reuptake within the brain to submerge manic and psychotic states. Sometimes, hallucinations and voices lead schizophrenics to lash out and refuse to take medication, and they can even become a danger to those around them. As a result, hospitalization is always a viable option to minimize symptoms. Although schizophrenia is incurable, it is safe to say that patients have a lot more hope at living a full life.

Unfortunately, history reveals the terrifying reality for patients before schizophrenia was medically defined. Symptoms of schizophrenia date back to the Bible, but back then it was believed to be demonic possession or evil spirits on Earth. According to the article Divine Madness: a History of Schizophrenia, most people suffering with symptoms were locked away in “fool towers” and mental asylums and refused contact with the outside world (Hardy). Even more gruesome, ancient cultures used to drill holes into victims’ heads in order to “let the spirits out” (Hardy).

Even after schizophrenia was medically defined in the 19th century, many cultures pass down the stories of demon possessed people. These false stories and folktales that spread through cultures around the world paint schizophrenics as malicious people and tarnish their chance to be treated. Many countries around the world still hold onto this perspective of schizophrenia patients.

These cultural prospects may hinder my ability to be a good pediatrician. Parents may refuse to accept their child’s symptoms because of an irrational fear of evil spirits, or they may even feel at fault. In this occurrence, I would explain how schizophrenia can stem from a variety of factors, not just genetics and parenting. To assure parents that their child has not been demonically overtaken, I would compare schizophrenic brain scans to normal brain scans to show how the brain chemistry is altered. Lastly, I would lay out all the treatment options and recommend a good psychiatrist to console the parents and show that their child can still have an amazing future.

Till next time,

Nancy

Works Cited

Caschetta, MB. “Childhood Schizophrenia: Symptoms, Treatment, and Outlook.” WebMD, WebMD, www.webmd.com/schizophrenia/childhood-schizophrenia.

“Childhood Schizophrenia.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 19 May 2021, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/childhood-schizophrenia/symptoms-causes/syc-20354483.

“Childhood Schizophrenia: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment.” Cleveland Clinic, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21067-childhood-schizophrenia.

Hardy, James, and Charlie Jones. “Divine Madness: a History of Schizophrenia.” History Cooperative, 12 Jan. 2021, historycooperative.org/divine-madness-a-history-of-schizophrenia/.

Jodi Clarke, MA. “Causes and Risk Factors of Schizophrenia.” Verywell Mind, 2 Mar. 2021, www.verywellmind.com/what-causes-schizophrenia-2953136.

“Schizophrenia.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 7 Jan. 2020, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/schizophrenia/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20354449.

Watson, Stephanie. “Schizophrenia Myths and Facts.” WebMD, WebMD, www.webmd.com/schizophrenia/schizophrenia-myths-and-facts?bcsi-ac-4d57fec82d0c41f9=271918E5000000050BtGbJnTozalOqILnKdgA55YtnkjAQAABQAAAAM2EAGAcAAAAQAAAJIwAgA%3D.

**cover art by Stevie Tierney