Symptoms And Symptoms Of Schizophrenia - 1210 Words

Introduction Schizophrenia Symptoms. Schizophrenia is a chronic and severe mental disorder which is characterized by an inability to distinguish what is real and subsequent abnormal behavior. Literally translating from the Greek skhizein and phrÄ“n meaning ‘split-mind’, schizophrenia is characterized by both positive symptoms, e.g. hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thinking, and also negative symptoms, e.g. apathy, Anhedonia, and deficits in executive functioning. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition (DSM-5) requires for a diagnosis that the individual exhbit at least two dysfunctional symptoms that are active for at least one month (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Causes. The factors†¦show more content†¦Dopamine hypothesis. This theory states that the hyperfunction of brain D2 synapses are linked to the positive symptoms of schizophrenia, from observations that antipsychotics, such as Chlorpromazine, have antagonistic effects at dopamine receptors (Carlsson Lindqvist, 1963). Contrastingly stimulants that release dopamine can induce positive symptoms (Lieberman Alvir, 1987). To be clear this hypothesis states that dopamine is not a cause, but rather the by-product of the previously mentioned neurobiochemical dysfunction. Glutamate hypothesis. Alternately this hypothesis states that hypofunctioning via N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (glutamate receptors) in the mesocortical system may contribute to the negative symptoms of schizophrenia (Olney Farber, (1995). Unfortunately these mechanisms of actions are insufficient in explaining both the positive and negative symptoms and subsequent medication based on these mechanisms are not usually able to address both symptoms. Scientists have started to look elsewhere for possible mechanisms that can comprehensively address the major clinical and pathophysiological symptoms; recently the endocannabinoid system (ECS) has been investigated as one such possible mechanism (Zammit, Allebeck, Andreasson, Lundberg, Lewis, 2002; Fergusson, Horwood, Ridder, 2005). The ECS is titled after one of the most wide-spread drug of abuse, Cannabis sativa and the main active