Write 8 page essay on the topic Violence in schizophrenic patients.Download file to see previous pages... The design consisted in the administration of Arabic coffee as a stimulant that created or ins

Write 8 page essay on the topic Violence in schizophrenic patients.

The design consisted in the administration of Arabic coffee as a stimulant that created or instigated a condition which provoked episodes of violence on both groups of schizophrenia and the groups of non schizophrenia patients. '

Schizophrenia is one of the most major disorders that is quite devastating to an individual occurring in approximately 1% of the population and comprises of more than a single general disorder. Patients with schizophrenia struggle with many functional impairments including performance of independent living skills, social functioning, and occupational/educational performance and attainment. Sharma T, Antonova L. (2003) Schizophrenia is among the top 10 disabling conditions worldwide for young adults. Jaeger J, Berns SM, Czobor P (2003) &amp.Wu EQ, Birnbaum HG, Shi L, et al (2002)

This particular disease is a great cause for concern and research on the subject is a continuous process and runs into billions each year. However, there is no major gender issues involved where the prevalence of the disease is concerned. Therefore, one of the top most priorities today is to provide good mental health services and better support to schizophrenic patients across the globe.

Schizophrenia is not a disease relating to a split personality but on the other hand it is a disorder that is closely related to an individual's emotions and thought processes. This condition is amplified further if the individual is under the influence of substance abuse. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, defines schizophrenia as a

Schizophrenia'pg. 4

psychotic "disorder that lasts for at least 6 months and includes at least one month of active-phase symptoms of the following: delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, grossly disorganized or catatonic behavior, negative symptoms" (The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. pg.298) some of the very common symptoms schizophrenia are, cognitive and emotional dysfunction involving hedonic capacity, inferential the processes, imbalances in perception, speech and hearing abilities and poor language and communication skills. All these symptoms are classified into two divisions - 1) positive and 2) negative, wherein an excess or distortion of normal functions is classified as positive, while a loss or diminution of normal functions are called the negative symptoms. (The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, pg.299)

This study will compare levels of violence in convicted patients of schizophrenia and those convicted but not schizophrenics and with no records of substance abuse with a group of violent schizophrenic and those who are not schizophrenics but with records of substance abuse and another group without substance abuse. Schizophrenia is said to be a psychotic condition which could be triggered by various external factors such as substance abuse, genetically, defects at birth, environmental factors and even if there is an imbalance in dopamine which is a neurotransmitter.