Schizophrenia, Understanding the Struggle

Abstract

Schizophrenia is a deteriorative psychological disease that mentally and physically strains the patients who manifest the disease and their families. The etiology of the disease is excess Dopamine, a neurotransmitter. There are two categorization of Schizophrenia; positive symptoms, and negative symptoms. Patients who suffer with positive symptoms experience hallucinations, delusions, and have rambling, incoherent speech. Patients who suffer with negative symptoms have flat affect, decreased mood, and are socially withdrawn. Current treatments for Schizophrenia include neuroleptics and atypical antipsychotics. Both drug categories aim to decrease Dopamine availability at the receptor site. Side effects of these drugs lead to major noncompliance issues. These major side effects include: tardive dyskinesia, Parkinsonian tremor, nausea, and weight gain.