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Running Head: ANALYZING PSYCHOLOGICAL DISORDERS
Analyzing Psychological Disorders
Analyzing Psychological Disorders
Introduction
The biological approach to psychology dominates treatments in the field of Biopsychology. Psychological diseases and disorders are diagnosed from the physiological point of view. This paper will include an analysis of the psychological disorder called Schizophrenia. I will consider the brain areas affecting and affected by the disorder, the possible causal factors, the characteristic symptoms, the neural basis and the accepted drug treatments. I will also review the Generalized Anxiety Disorder and the eating disorder, Anorexia Nervosa. These last two disorders will be considered in relation to nature/nurture and theories of etiology. Accepted drug therapies and alternative treatments for these disorders will also be discussed.
Part A: Schizophrenia
This condition is one of the most complicated disorders that humans exhibi
2. Introduction
The biological approach to psychology dominates treatments in the field of
Biopsychology. Psychological diseases and disorders are diagnosed from the
physiological point of view. This paper will include an analysis of the psychological
disorder called Schizophrenia. I will consider the brain areas affecting and affected
by the disorder, the possible causal factors, the characteristic symptoms, the
neural basis and the accepted drug treatments. I will also review the Generalized
Anxiety Disorder and the eating disorder, Anorexia Nervosa. These last two
disorders will be considered in relation to nature/nurture and theories of etiology.
Accepted drug therapies and alternative treatments for these disorders will also be
discussed.
Part A: Schizophrenia
This condition is one of the most complicated disorders that humans exhibit. Its
name comes from the symptoms which indicate that there is a “splitting of psychic
functions (Pinel, 2007, p.481)”. Symptoms of schizophrenia include, in varying
severity and combinations, hallucinations, grossly disorganized or catatonic
behavior patterns and negative symptoms, delusions and disorganized or
incoherent speech (American Psychiatric Association, 2000). Due to the severity
of these symptoms, sufferers are usually socially and occupationally dysfunctional.
Diagnosis is based on the persistent combination of function impairment and
symptoms for a period of 6 months (American Psychiatric Association, 2000).
Causal Theories and Neural Basis
A number of theories have been put forth regarding causal factors in schizophrenic
development. There is a strong body of evidence that indicates the disorder may
have genetic links, especially to first degree relatives who have been diagnosed as
schizophrenic (Pinel, 2007). This genetic component seems to be combined with
early trauma and stress that can trigger development of the disorder.
Neurodevelopment impairment early in life due to infection, autoimmune reactions
and toxin exposure may also contribute to later development of this disorder (Pinel,
2007).
Other theories hold that individuals who suffer from schizophrenia have increased
levels of the brain chemical dopamine. This theory was developed during
Parkinson’s disease research when the drug chlorpromazine was shown to be a
receptor blocker (Pinel, 2007). The dopamine theory was advanced when the D2
receptors were found to be reactive to phenothiazines and butyrophenones.
Phenothiazines bind to both D1 and D2 receptors. Butyrophenones bind to D2
3. receptors. It was revealed that hyperactivity at the D2 receptor site and not all
dopamine receptor sites was evident in schizophrenia (Pinel, 2007).
Additional research has recently shown that Schizophrenia may be connected to
other brain factors. Atypical neuroleptic drugs which do not act as D2 blockers
may have effects when given for prolonged periods of two weeks or more. These
drugs include clozapine which shows a negligible effect on the D2 receptors but
exhibits an increased effect on other brain receptors (D1, D4 and multiple serotonin
receptors) (Pinel, 2007). The prolonged administration is required in spite of the
fact that neuroleptic drug therapy effectively blocks D2 receptors within just a few
hours of administration. This suggests that D receptors are not a key factor in this
disorders’ etiology (Pinel, 2007). These neuroleptic therapies do not provide relief
for all individuals who are diagnosed as schizophrenic. The neuroleptic drugs have
proven to be most effective in treating incoherence, hallucinations and delusions.
They are less effective in alleviating negative symptoms that are related to affect,
cognitive deficits and speech dysfunction. Thus, the D2 theory of hyperactivity at
the receptor site is not strongly supported by this conflicting treatment success
(Pinel, 2007).
Brain imaging studies contribute information to the etiology of schizophrenia.
Brain abnormalities in the small cerebral cortex and enlarged cerebral ventricles
are seen in these patients (Pinel, 2007). These studies give further credence to
the theory that neural development issues contribute to the development of this
disorder. There is also abnormal brain laterality that cannot be explained by the
dopamine theory (Pinel, 2007).
Appropriate Drug Therapies
Group, family and psychotherapy are used to increase the success of
schizophrenic treatments. However, these therapies must be used in conjunction
with other effective drug therapies to be of use in treating the complex of symptoms
that are experienced in this disorder (Grohol, 2008). Combinations of
antipsychotic, antidepressant and anti anxiety medications may be used to address
the entire range of symptoms in a patient (Grohol, 2008). Patients are very likely to
discontinue their medications due to side effects and/or ineffectiveness, so they
must be monitored to determine that the therapy is appropriate for that patient
(Grohol, 2008).
Appropriate patient education must also be used to reduce the possible side
effects and so that the proper dosage and length of treatment course are followed.
Patient education also must include coping strat
