Mental Disorders: The Cause Of Schizophrenia

Words: 383
Pages: 2
Open Document
Schizophrenia is a devastating mental disorder affecting the nervous system.
The exact cause of Schizophrenia is unclear, however the dopamine hypothesis has dominated the theories regarding the cause of schizophrenia for fifty years, with the neurotransmitter dopamine believed to cause an abnormal amount of or the abnormal action of dopamine in the brain (Elder, Enans & Nizette, 2005). Dopamine (a catecholaminergic neurotransmitter) is found in high concentrations in the striatum and caudate nucleus and particularly in the basal ganglia and extrapyramidal tracts of the brain (Beaulieu & Gainetdinov, 2011). There are various dopamine receptors in the brain, particularly in the basal ganglia and limbic areas, however D1 and D2 receptors are …show more content…
It is believed that dopamine neurons in the mesolimbic region of the brain are overactive in people with Schizophrenia, whilst dopamine neurons in the mesocortical region of the brain are underactive in people with this disease (Seeman, et al, 2005). Hyperactivity in the mesolimbic dopamine pathway (in the striatum) results in the increased release of subcortical dopamine and increased D2 receptor activation. This hyperactivity increases dopamine levels and causes the positive symptoms of Schizophrenia such as hallucinations and delusions as a result of the excessive dopamine release into the brain (Birsch et al, 2014). Hypoactivity in the mesocortical dopamine pathway, as the result of reduced D1 receptor activation in the prefrontal cortex, causes the negative, cognitive and affect symptoms of Schizophrenia such as a lack of motivation, poverty of speech and an inability to experience pleasure (anhedonia), as D1 receptors do not function adequately to uptake the increased levels of dopamine that have entered the brain due to D2 receptors (Gao, 2011). Ordinarily the effect of dopamine activity is damped down by means of a negative feedback process in which the neuronal system attempts to prevent overload by
Show More

Related Documents: Mental Disorders: The Cause Of Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia: The continued Pursuit Essay

Schizophrenia: The Continued Pursuit When non-verbally reading most individuals have a voice in their head which says the words as they read. Most people are experiencing a subconscious voice right now while reading this essay. However, this voice is neither alarming nor unsettling in fact it may even be in one’s own voice. Readers are accustomed to the subconscious voice and do not even notice its presence. Now that you are aware of the voice, imagine if it never…

Words 1241 - Pages 5

Schizophrenia and Grey Matter Areas Essay

1: P1 Explain the nature of two named physiological disorders Schizophrenia is known as a long term mental disorder that causes a range of different psychological symptoms. The psychological symptoms can be hallucinations, delusions ,muddled thoughts based on the hallucinations or delusions and also change in behaviour. The causes of schizophrenia are not completely understood or known. There is no known single cause of schizophrenia . Many diseases result from an interplay of genetic,…

Words 677 - Pages 3

Essay Psychology: Schizophrenia and Damour

Schizophrenia, Psychosis, and Physical Disorders Fabiola Michel PSY410 Lara L. Ashbaugh January 21, 2013 Schizophrenia, Psychosis, and Physical Disorders Two categories are discussed physical disorders and psychosis. Psychosis is usually associated with schizophrenia. Physical disorders are usually associated with somatoform disorders are physical but have no medical reason for it. A system of classification combining categorical and dimensional representations may be found in psychosis…

Words 1525 - Pages 7

Normal Nuts Essay example

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (Mandel). A common misconception in society is that someone with a mental illness cannot function normally in society and needs to be locked up in an institution. It is often forgotten that mental illnesses are in fact, actual medical conditions and not just a word used to label crazy people. Some mental illnesses that people have stigmas about are Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, and Schizophrenia. In actuality people with mental illnesses can hold jobs…

Words 987 - Pages 4

Outline For Schizophrenia Informative Essay

Schizophrenia- Informative Speech Introduction I. Attention Getter- There are five subtypes of schizophrenia: paranoid schizophrenia, disorganized schizophrenia, catatonic schizophrenia, undifferentiated schizophrenia, and residual schizophrenia. II. Brief Introduction- Schizophrenia is a mental disorder that affects almost all the five senses, but most commonly it manifests as auditory hallucination, paranoid or bizarre delusions, disorganized thinking and speech, and social dysfunction. III.…

Words 663 - Pages 3

Essay on Schizophrenia: Schizophrenia and World Health Association

Schizophrenia, A Life Long Battle: An In-depth Study on the Demographics, Diagnosis and Treatment of the Disorder Argosy University Abstract Schizophrenia has been said to be the most devastating of all mental illness. It is a chronic and incurable brain disorder that affects the way a person thinks, feels, acts and perceives everyone and everything around them. The clinical definition for this disorder as stated by Butcher, Mineka & Hooley (2010) is, “A disorder characterized…

Words 2060 - Pages 9

Erica Hubbard DSM IV Evaluation Essay

I have determined that Josephine is suffering from Schizoid Personality Disorder. At this time there are no causes of Schizoid Personality Disorder; therefore, the cause is unknown for Josephine. It is possible that it could be a result of her genetics. A potential treatment plan I would recommend for Josephine would be to begin cognitive-behavioral therapy, drug therapy, and group therapy. ("Schizoid Personality Disorder",2014). Case Study 2 indicates that Luis is a 38-year-old male that boasts…

Words 640 - Pages 3

The Olfactory: The Cause Of Schizophrenia

Studies show the olfaction variables play a distinctive role, as a precursor for schizophrenia, and those with schizotypy reveal mixed results. Patients with schizophrenia have an impaired ability to differentiate scents. Studies conducted to see which psychometrically patients afflicted by the olfactory marker. Origins Schizophrenia, a splitting of the personality, as written by Hergenhan, Henly, (2014). The identity became known by a Swiss psychiatrist know as Eugen Bleuler (1857-1939). (p.477)…

Words 644 - Pages 3

Essay about Schizophrenia: Schizophrenia and relatively Normal Lives

Schizophrenia is a serious brain disorder that alters the way a person thinks, acts, expresses emotions, perceives reality, and relates to others. People with schizophrenia, the most chronic and disabling of the major mental illnesses, often have problems functioning in society, at work, at school, and in relationships. Schizophrenia can leave its sufferer frightened and withdrawn. It is a life-long disease that cannot be cured, but usually can be controlled with proper treatment. Contrary to popular…

Words 1024 - Pages 5

Psy 240 Final Essay

The Effects of Schizophrenia, Anorexia and Insomnia on the Human Body The Effects of Schizophrenia, Anorexia and Insomnia on the Human Body The human body is capable of many feats, and has even surpassed common expectations on its ability to withstand what is conceived to be the absolute limit. The mind is another feature of the human body that is capable of many feats as well, but they are not necessarily for the better. A person’s mind is capable of any thought, and if combined with the person’s…

Words 1766 - Pages 8