The document discusses schizophrenia, including its causes, symptoms, treatments and connection to the film The Soloist. Schizophrenia is a disorder that affects thinking, feelings and behavior. Causes are unclear but may involve genetics and brain abnormalities. Symptoms vary but can include hallucinations and delusions. Treatment involves lifelong medication and therapy to manage symptoms. The film The Soloist depicts how schizophrenia affected a talented musician and how friendship helped support his recovery.

1. The Soloist and
Schizophrenia
By: Jennifer Gutierrez Angel

2. What is Schizophrenia?
– “Schizophrenia is a serious disorder which effects how a person thinks, feels and
acts.”
– Someone with schizophrenia may have difficulty distinguishing between what is
real and what is imaginary.
– May have difficulty expressing normal emotions in social situations.
– “The vast majority of people with schizophrenia are not violent and do not pose
a danger to others.”

3. What Causes Schizophrenia?
– The causes of schizophrenia are unclear.
– Some theories that cause schizophrenia include: genetics, biology
(abnormalities in the brain’s chemistry or brain structure), and possible viral
infections and immune disorders.
– SUBTYPES OF SCHIZOPHRENIA:
-Paranoid: Hallucinations and Delusions
-Catatonic: Catatonic super= No movement
Catatonic Excitement= Massive Movements
-Disorganized: Decline in emotional, functioning, and speech

4. Early Signs of Schizophrenia
– “The early signs are different for everyone.”
– Symptoms may develop slowly over months or even years, or may appear very
abruptly.
– Signs of schizophrenia:
– Seeing or hearing something that isn’t there.
– A change in personal hygiene and appearance.
– Peculiar or nonsensical way of speaking or writing.
– Increasing withdrawal from social situations.

5. Treatments
– Schizophrenia requires lifelong treatment, even when symptoms have subsided.
– Treatment with medications and psychology treatment can help manage the
condition. But is some cases, hospitalization may be needed.
– “A psychiatrist experienced in treating schizophrenia usually guides treatment.
The treatment team also may include a psychologist, social worker, psychiatric
nurse and possibly a case manager to coordinate care.

6. Medication
– Antipsychotic Medications
– “Most commonly prescribed drugs. Thought to control symptoms by affecting
the brain neurotransmitter dopamine”
– GOAL OF MEDICATION: Effectively Manage signs and symptoms at the lowest
possible dose.
– Serious side effects can occur if given a medication.
– “Someone who is resistant to taking medication consistently may need to be
given injections instead of taking a pill.

7. THE SOLOIST
– The Soloist is a film based on a true story of Nathaniel Ayers, a musician who suffers
from schizophrenia, and Steve Lopez a journalist for the New York Times, who
befriended the then homeless Ayers when he was living in the streets of LA.
– Ayers at an early age loved to play the cello. He grew up to be talented enough to be
accepted in Juilliard. (New York Music School). But at an early age Ayer began to see
and imagine things that weren’t there. While at Harvard Ayers began to hear voices
telling him that everyone was watching him. The voices where negative thoughts.
Lopez didn’t know he had schizophrenia. Lopez helped him out and made Ayer start
playing the cello again. Lopez realizes after a fight making Ayers sign some legal
documents which states that he has a diagnosis of schizophrenia, that schizophrenia
cannot be cured by friendship alone.

9. The Soloist and the Connection
– The film gives us a good example of the effect the illness can have on the words,
thoughts, perceptions and behavior of sufferers and highlights the fluctuations
that occur naturally in the disorder.
– The film also explores the role of kindness and compassion in the treatment of
those suffering from chronic psychotic illness and the power of the social
environment to aid recovery in such disorders.
– The Soloist examines the effect of a stable, consistent friendship in supporting
and promoting recovery in an individual with Schizophrenia.

10. References
– "Schizophrenia." Mental Health America. N.p., n.d. Web.
<www.mentalhealthamerica.net/conditions/>.
Clinic, Mayo. "Schizophrenia Treatment." Mayo Clinic. N.p., n.d. Web.
<www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/schizophrenia/diagnosis-
treatments/txc->.