Mental health problems involve significant dysfunction in the areas of behavior or personality that interferes with the person’s ability to function. While there appears to be a genetic component w

Mental health problems involve significant dysfunction in the areas of behavior or personality that interferes with the person’s ability to function.  While there appears to be a genetic component with some disorders, structural and especially biochemical abnormalities contribute to their pathologies.  Though this is similar to other disorders affecting the human body, mental illness is still highly stigmatized.  Perhaps one of the most so, is schizophrenia.  It is far easier for the average person, and health professional alike, to cope with the idea of diabetes than it is to deal with hallucinations, and strange behaviors that besiege the person living with schizophrenia.

After watching the following video, reflect on the challenges facing those with severe mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia.  Describe relevant pathology (i.e., functional and structural changes characterizing the disease), signs and symptoms, and provide suggestions for reducing the stigma associated with mental illness. Posts should be thoughtful, insightful, and 250-500 words.  These posts should add significant substance to the conversation and clearly reference (i.e. cite) information from current chapter readings/lectures (please follow current APA guidelines for your in-text citations and references). 

Schizophrenia Simulation https://youtu.be/LWYwckFrksg

Anderson Cooper Experiences and Auditory Hallucination Simulator https://youtu.be/yL9UJVtgPZY