Schizophrenia in Young Women and Men - Research Paper Example

 Schizophrenia in Young Women and Men Abstract Schizophrenia is a psychotic, neurological disorder that involves awareness, behaviour, approach, as well as the way of communication of the individual. It is the condition that influences the interpersonal relationship, as well as occupational abilities of a person. The individual is unable to think and respond in the desired manner due to inability of the brain to perform appropriately. Although the condition affects both men and women with the same intensity, it is articulated in a different way between both of the genders. Women display the condition of schizophrenia as superior premorbid functioning; the onset of the condition is at later stages of life, moreover, the dissimilar brain abnormalities are being displayed, their cognitive deficiencies are also different from those of males. A difference is also observed if the condition onsets in premenopausal women, they respond to the antipsychotic drugs in a better way as compared to the postmenopausal women and also when compared to males. However, the difference observed in both of the genders is attributed to the hormonal composition and psychosocial factors. Estrogen is considered to play a protective role in females as it influences neurotransmission, as well as neurodevelopment. Women displaying the condition of schizophrenia also display hypoestrogenism or antipsychotic-induced hyperprolactinemia (Canuso & Pandina, 2007). The present article highlights the difference in the display of characteristics of the condition by both of the genders and its implications in day to day life. Introduction Schizophrenia is considered to be a varied set of many distinct ailments, which remain inadequately distinct but associated with widespread clinical characteristics. Three chief symptoms observed in case of schizophrenia are positive, negative and cognitive symptoms. Delusion and hallucinations are categorized under positive symptoms of schizophrenia and these are not related as normal mental makeup of the individual. On the other hand, negative symptoms correspond to discrepancies in normal activities comprising rounded influence, impecunious language, antisocial conduct and reduced enthusiasm. Cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia involve deficient operational memory and cognitive management of actions that frequently confirm to be enormously disabling. Existing antipsychotic drugs are effective only for positive symptoms and are found to be ineffective against the negative and cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia. Research studies reveal that both men and women are affected at an equal proportion by schizophrenia, however, males are found to develop the symptoms prior to the females. Moreover, the onset of symptoms of schizophrenia is more prevalent in females prior to males if they set at later stages of life indicating the fact that the onset of symptoms in both of the genders is age dependent (Brunton et al., 2010). However, research reveals that schizophrenia is influenced by sex differences in neurodevelopmental progressions together with the communal consequences on the risk and the course of the conditions. Now it is established that the incidence of schizophrenia is more prevalent in males with a male/female approximate ratio of 1.4:1, also there is late onset of the condition in women. Research studies reveal that males display poor premorbid modifications, as well as negative symptoms, but these symptoms are less depressive when compared to those of females. Moreover, males are more involved in substance abuse as compared to females. A difference in morphology of the brain is also responsible for greater prevalence of schizophrenia in males (Abel, 2010). Factors Influencing the Development of Schizophrenia Schizophrenia is a neurodevelopmental condition that is influenced by various environmental conditions encompassing viral infection during the second-trimester together with nutritional deficiency, complications at the time of birth, any kind of substance abuse during late teens or early adolescence (Fanous & Kendler, 2008). Men Are More Prone to Schizophrenia Statistical analysis discloses the fact that reported cases of schizophrenia indicate that men outnumber women, especially among the individuals belonging to the age of 15 - 25 years, i.e., the condition onsets at an early age. As women are mentally stronger, as well as their brain morphology is better adapted to deal with the symptoms they are reported to develop, schizophrenia at the later stages or less number of cases is being reported (“Why Schizophrenia Affect Men More Than Women”). A study carried out by Lindamer (2004) indicates that the mean age of onset of the schizophrenia in men is 30 and that of female is 39. Further, the study included men and women and highlighted the fact that 37% of the women developed schizophrenia at later stage of life, especially at the age of 45 or above, while at the similar age only 16% of males are reported to develop schizophrenia. Observation further reveals that as women develop schizophrenia at the later stages of life a comparative study is to be carried out between men and women belonging to the later age. Within the framework of such a study Lindamer (2004) found that, although women develop schizophrenia at the later age, the condition is more intense in females. Women have paranoid schizophrenia and display intense positive symptoms of schizophrenia as compared to the negative symptoms. Following are the reasons that emerged in concluding that men are more prone to the condition of schizophrenia as compared to the women: Brain injuries - since the day of birth men are more prone to the brain injuries as compared to the women. More physical activities and sports also enhance their chances of enduring head injuries or brain damage and, hence, men are more prone to schizophrenia illness (“Why Schizophrenia Affect Men More Than Women?”). Imaging studies postulate the fact that males have 16% smaller inferior partial lobule as compared to the brain of the women. This is the most imperative part of the brain that influences the audio-visual, as well as sensory, responses. Any anomaly or miswiring may result in the demonstration of the condition called schizophrenia (“Why Schizophrenia Affect Men More Than Women?”). Estrogen level - estrogen is a female hormone. High level of estrogen during the reproductive phase of women acts as a prevention from developing the symptoms of schizophrenia. As the age progresses and women reach menopause, a decline in the level of estrogen is observed, a reduced level of estrogen makes the female prone to the development of schizophrenia or psychosis (Lindamer, 2004). Dopamine - a chemical compound, which acts as a neurotransmitter in the central nervous system, is responsible for passing messages between neurons in the brain. High level of this neurotransmitter is an abnormal condition. Schizophrenics are found to have higher level of dopamine (Canuso & Pandina, 2007). Schizophrenia Recovery/ Coping Mechanism in Men and Women A difference in coping mechanism is also reported in men and women. Studies reveal that women respond to antipsychotic drugs more efficiently as compared to men and, hence, they display better coping mechanism for schizophrenia. Moreover, women are found to display more positive symptoms as compared to negative ones. According to Grossman et al. (2006), longitudinal research highlights the fact that social functioning displayed by the women with schizophrenia is better as compared to their male counterparts and has little hospital stay along with steady family concern. Schizophrenia & Psychology Every individual has different perception depending on the nature. How things are perceived and understood is directly co-related to the personal outlook, psychology, as well as various predicaments. Men are more aggressive and reactionary to the situation as compared to the women. Women are milder and family oriented in the majority of the cases. They are soft and emotionally stronger to think and take decisions. The insight and thoughtfulness of both genders provide them with the ability to grasp the situation and tackle accordingly. The methodology one adopts to tackle the situation depends on the intellect, as well as prior experiences, under certain circumstances the situation becomes tough and the individual cannot control things. This paves the way for a stronger psychosocial response of women as compared to men; as psychology encompasses a thorough understanding of mental and behavioral processes and aids in being considerate towards brain functioning, communication and interpersonal predispositions, motivation and social behavior along with the physiological, as well as neurological predilections, it aids in the development of personality and frames human nature. One of the key features of psychology includes cognitive studies as it provides an assessment of mental processes. It is the most characteristic feature of the psychologist to understand the attitude, as well as propensity, of an individual. Cognitive understanding deals with the thoughts of the individual and, hence, the mental process which also involves schizophrenia. As an individual gets mature, perception and understanding about the circumstances and situation also augments. Some may have the intellect to understand others, learn about the nature and circumstances, and react to an event in the more pleasing manner while others tend to be short tempered and reactionary towards a situation and display rage, anguish and depression (“What is Cognitive Psychology?”). This gradually develops into neurological symptoms and later culminates into abnormal behaviour and schizophrenia. Conclusion Schizophrenia is a neurological disorder that involves psychosocial implications. Although, clinical manifestations are imperative together with the hormonal treatment with the estrogen to regulate the concentration of dopamine neurotransmitter in the brain, it is highly essential that psychoanalysis must be performed to inculcate the positive feeling for life. Essentially, it paves the way for reducing stress and anguish, which alters the mood of the individual and germinates the seeds of distress. As stressors alter the hormonal balance of the body it becomes imperative for the psychologist to motivate the individual in the positive direction so that a better mental state can be maintained; this could be achieved through psychoanalysis. Psychoanalysis encompasses treatment of cataleptic factors encumbering relationships, work performance, mood alterations and their impact on self esteem. The method is based on the verbal procedures. The sole motive of psychoanalysis is to resolve the issues related to psychological problems by conveying cataleptic clashes to the cognizant mind where they may be tackled and determined. The focus is on basic approaches of practicing concerns and being judgmental on them as compared to the focus on behavior. Psychoanalysis, therefore, focuses on altering the personality of the individual in a complete manner in contrast to bringing alteration only in behavior. Psychoanalysis is performed to understand the behavior and emotions of the individual. These factors remain hidden in the unconscious mind and generate gloom. These symptoms may in some cases be distinguished while in others it could result in individuality attributes, impede performance in professional, as well as personal, fronts. All these affects the self esteem of the individual, hence, there is a need to undergo psychoanalytic treatment to treat the condition of schizophrenia. Psychoanalysis determines the chronological basis of the problem and changes that have taken place over point in time, as well as enables one to deal with the truth and eliminates gloom (“What is Psychoanalysis?”). As women are capable of combating the condition of schizophrenia in a better way, men should immediately consult the psychoanalyst to get psychotherapy, as well as psychoanalysis to prevent the condition from becoming worse. References Abel, K. A., Drake, R., Goldstein, J. M. (2010). Sex differences in schizophrenia. International Review of Psychiatry, 22(5), 417-428. Brunton, L. L., Chabner, B. A., Knollmann, B. C. (2010). Goodman & Gilamn's pharmacological basis of therapeutics. 12th Edition. McGraw-Hill Professional. Canuso, C. M., Pandina, G. (2007). Gender and schizophrenia. Psychopharmacol Bull, 40(4), 178-90. Grossman, L. S., Harrow, M., Rosen, C., Faull, R. (2006). Sex differences in outcome and recover for schizophrenia and other psychotic and non-psychotic disorders. Psychiatric Services, 57(6), 844- 850. Fanous, A. H., Kendler, K. S. (2008). Genetics of clinical features and subtypes of schizophrenia: A review of the recent literature. Curr Psychiatr Rep, 10, 164–170. Lindamer, L. A., Lohr, J. B., Harris, M. J., Jeste, D. V. (2004). Gender, estrogen and schizophrenia. Focus, 2, 138-145. “Why Schizophrenia Affects Men More Than Women?” (n.d.) Retrieved from http://www.health.am/psy/more/why-schizophrenia-affect-men-more-than-women/. “What is Cognitive Psychology?” (n.d.) Retrieved from http://psychology.about.com/od/cognitivepsychology/f/cogpsych.htm “What is Psychoanalysis?” (n.d.) Retrieved from http://www.med.nyu.edu/psa/psychoanalysis/ Read More