Schizophrenia - Stolen Lives, Stolen Minds

Schizophrenia: Stolen Lives, Stolen Minds

Nicole Johnson

Marshall University

Schizophrenia: Stolen Minds, Stolen Lives, is a documentary which gives the viewer an inside glimpse at the lives of a several people who suffer from schizophrenia. Schizophrenia is a debilitating, chronic, and serious mental disorder that affects how a person thinks, feels, and behaves (Sue et al., 2016). People who have developed schizophrenia may become paranoid, delusional, and may develop unusual movements of their hands and face (American Psychological Association, 2013). Although schizophrenia is not as common as other psychiatric illnesses, symptoms of schizophrenia can be debilitating. A person’s first “psychotic break” usually occurs between the ages of 15-30. One person, who told his story in the documentary, had his first “psychotic break” at age 22 and was institutionalized 76 times (Weiner & Schnall, 2000).

Some experts believe problems during brain development, in vitro, may lead to defective connections within the brain. The brain also undergoes major changes during puberty that could trigger schizophrenia symptoms in people who are at risk due to genetic factors (Sue et al., 2016). Scientific research is being conducted to evaluate if prophylactic antipsychotic medication, at the first sign or symptom of schizophrenia, will stop the symptoms and prevent people from developing full-scale schizophrenia (Weiner & Schnall, 2000).

 In the documentary Schizophrenia: Stolen Minds, Stolen Lives, two twin males, one who developed schizophrenia while the other did not, were interviewed. The brothers enrolled in a study which performs a yearly MRI of their brains for the sole purpose of comparing any changes over time. Fascinatingly, differences do exist in the size and shape of their hypothalamuses and their white matter. The twin with schizophrenia has more white matter and a shrinking hypothalamus; while the health twin, has had minor changes over time (Weiner & Schnall, 2000).

Scientist are aware there is a genetic factor in schizophrenia. Nevertheless, many people who develop schizophrenia do not have a family member with the disorder; conversely, there are people who do not develop schizophrenia even though one or more of their immediate family members has the disorder (Weiner & Schnall, 2000). Scientists believe that many different genes may increase the probability of schizophrenia, but that no one gene causes the disorder (Weiner & Schnall, 2000). Genes are not the only contributing factor to the development of schizophrenia. As stated by Arseneault, Cannon, Poulton, Murray, Caspi, Moffitt (1212) people who use a substantial amount of cannabis before age 18 are six times more likely to develop schizophrenia (Sue et al., 2016). Scientists also believe that a person’s environments as well as an imbalance between neurotransmitters, such as dopamine and norepinephrine, increase the chances that people will develop schizophrenia (Weiner & Schnall, 2000).

The documentary touched on some of the available treatment options for people suffering from schizophrenia. These treatment options include medications, in/outpatient therapy, case management, and psychosocial treatments. While, medication can help bring a person back to equilibrium, psychosocial treatments can help people suffering from schizophrenia develop coping skills to help manage symptoms and improve their overall quality of life (Weiner & Schnall, 2000). While some people with schizophrenia are unable to care for themselves or hold down a job, some people can finish school and work with the assistance of medication and psychosocial therapy. In the documentary, Johnny a mathematical genius, is unable to live on his own but was able to graduate from college. Johnny’s father, John F. Nash Jr, was a gifted economist who was able to maintain a job as chair of his department at Princeton University, for a short time, before schizophrenia took hold of his mind at age 30 (Weiner & Schnall, 2000). In conclusion, schizophrenia is a debilitating and disruptive mental disorder that steals the minds of young intelligent people; however, research is being conducted to unlock the brain secretes and develop better and preventative therapies for schizophrenia.  

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