Biological Basis Of Behavior Essay -- Science Biology Biological Essay

Biological Basis Of Behavior Primary Behaviors of Schizophrenia Schizophrenia is defined as a "devastating psychotic disorder that may involve characteristic disturbances in thinking (delusions), perception (hallucinations), speech, emotions, and behavior (Durand and Barlow 443). This disorder affects nearly 2.5 million people. The symptoms of schizophrenia are usually divided into two categories, positive and negative. The positive symptoms include delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech or thinking, grossly disorganized behavior, and catatonic behaviors, which means that you suffer from motor immobility (schizophrenia.com). Delusions are defined as a strong disorder of thought and false beliefs of reality. There are five categories of delusions. The first is persecutory in which a person believes they are being attacked, harassed or conspired against. For example, a person with persecutory delusions may think that the government is spying on them. The second category is grandiose delusions, which are defined as an exaggerated sense of importance, power, and identity. For example, a person may feel that they receive special powers from God which gives them the ability to control things. The third category is being controlled. This category of delusions involves thoughts and feelings imposed from the outside. This is sometimes referred to as "thought insertion." A person with this type of delusion may feel that they are being controlled by the devil or by a curse. The fourth category is somatic delusions. These are defined as having false beliefs about bodily functions such as having AIDS or being pregnant for three years. The last category is j... ... ended up in the psychiatric ward. He got on medicine but still felt like a "deer in the headlights." He had a hard time keeping up with school and then his medicine failed and he was hospitalized again. After the second hospitalization his life turned around. He ended up finishing school with a degree in Economics. He was also able to hold down several jobs. He has tried every atypical antipsychotic medicine and they seem to be working. People can overcome schizophrenia if they choose to and can succeed in their own way and beat the odds. References Barlow, David H. and Durand, V. Mark. Essentials of Abnormal Psychology. Thomson-Wadsworth, 2003. Clozaril (clozapine). www.nami.org. 2/23/2005 Dr. Jim Dupree's class notes for Abnormal Psychology Success Stories from People with Schizophrenia. www.schizophrenia.com. 2/23/2005.