A Look into Schizophrenia

Running head: SCHIZOPHRENIA
A LOOK INTO SCHIZOPHRENIA
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Introduction:
Schizophrenia can be defined as a chronic mental health condition that affects the
ability of a person to think, feel and respond to situations. Patients suffering from
Schizophrenia seem to have lost contact with reality. It should be mentioned in this regard
that Schizophrenia is not one among the most common mental health disorders, however the
symptoms of the disorder are extremely challenging to control. According to the statistical
evidences published by the National Institute of Mental Health (2019), it has been mentioned
that the prevalence of Schizophrenia in U.S adults vary in between 0.25% to 0.64%. In
addition to this, the global prevalence of Schizophrenia has been reported to be in between
0.33% to 0.75% (Nimh.nih.gov, 2019). It should be mentioned in this context that it is
extremely difficult for researchers to estimate the accurate epidemiological data related to
Schizophrenia on account of its complicated pathophysiology that overlaps with other mental
health disorders such as autism where the case assumes a serious dimension (Vaskinn, Anja
& Ahmad, 2019). This subsequently accounts for the reason why epidemiological studies
often estimate the prevalence percentage of Schizophrenia in combination with other mental
health disorders. Despite the meagre prevalence percentage of Schizophrenia, it has been
reported as one of the leading causes of disability globally. Patients suffering from
Schizophrenia are placed at an increased risk of premature death. Studies reveal that the
average age at the time of death due to Schizophrenia is equivalent to 28.5 years
(Nimh.nih.gov, 2019). In addition to this, the medical condition is often assisted with
cardiovascular disorders, liver disease and diabetes. Also, 4.9% of people suffering from the
disorder attempt suicide annually which makes the disease condition a global concern
(Nimh.nih.gov, 2019). This assignment aims to evaluate the psychological theories that are

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related to Schizophrenia and discuss evidence-based interventions that can help in controlling
the symptoms of the disorders and subsequently promote holistic wellness.
Psychological Theories in relation to Schizophrenia:
Research studies indicate that Schizophrenia typically affects individuals at a young
age which can be characterized as the phase of transition from late-adolescence to younger
age. The age is typically marked between 20 years to 30 years (Moe et al., 2018). The
disorder has been reported to manifest itself earlier in males compared to females. In most of
the cases the diagnosis of the disease is preceded by years of changes in social behaviour and
cognition. Research studies have critically related a number of psychological theories to
Schizophrenia which help in understanding the progression of the disorder in individuals. The
Psychoanalytic theory describes Schizophrenia as an oral stage of regression where the ego
factor has not emerged from the identity (Fenichel, 2014). The patients lose contact with
reality by regressing into the stage of narcissism where they develop a virtual world around
them. Schizophrenia during the adolescence stage is characterized by heightening sexual urge
and impulse. Research studies mention that the lack of interpersonal relationships and
libidinal detachment serve as primary factors that lead to the development of intense
sensitivity towards criticism (Fenichel et al., 2014; Millan et al., 2014). The theory suggests
that in order to cope with the impulsive demands of the identity, the patients present
symptoms of hallucination and thought disorder. Studies also mention that ego distortion in
Schizophrenia results due to heightened uncontrollable identity impulse.
The social learning theory of Schizophrenia states that patients fail to respond to
social environment in the similar manner as normal individuals. Therefore, the lack of focus
and attention to social environment leads to the lack of developing a proper association with
the social environment and subsequently leads to a distorted thought process (Mednick,