Psychiatric Disorders

Psychiatric Disorders






Psychiatric Disorders, Diseases and Drugs

PSY/240
February 23, 2014
Heather O'Connell
Psychiatric Disorders, Diseases and Drugs
Diseases of the mind affect cognitional, emotional and behavioral aspects of the brain; controlling and extensively hindering a child’s learning abilities, and an adult’s ability to function in their everyday lives. Out-dated theories are replaced with modern theories to better explain what is known and what treatment options are available. Stigmatization of mental disorders such as Schizophrenia, Depression, Mania, Anxiety, and Tourette Syndrome have slowly been replaced with education of these disorders, up-dated research, and more effective drugs to reduce the symptoms of these disorders.
Schizophrenia is a complicated neuropsychiatric disease of the neural circuitry and the functions of the synaptic are disrupted. A wide range of symptoms and impairments of the cognitive processes characterize Schizophrenia. Symptoms have been divided into five classifications: psychosis, alteration in drive and volition, altered neurocognition, deregulation giving to increased depressive and manic symptoms. One theory about Schizophrenia is the development of the brain during pregnancy has been altered due to the impaired movement of neurons inside the brain as the fetus develops. Other theories are that winter and spring births give way to greater risk of the disorder. Genetics is another theory, widely supported by research and evidence; others believe that this disorder is caused by the endocrine system. A recent theory is that Schizophrenia is caused by a viral infection interacting with a genetic predisposition of Schizophrenia (Von Os, Shitij, 2009).
Anti-psychotic drugs that block dopamine D2 receptors can be prescribed. Haloperidol and chlorpromazine, also known as first generation drugs, are effective but have side effects that interfere with motor skills. Second generation anti-psychotic drugs such as aripiprazole,...

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