Schizophrenic Personality: A Review of the Literature
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a serious mental illness that affects many people around the world. It is characterized by disorganized thinking, delusions, hallucinations, and other cognitive deficits. This paper reviews the literature on schizophrenia and the associated personality characteristics of individuals with the disorder. It examines the risk factors, pathophysiology, and current treatments available for individuals with schizophrenia. The review concludes that further research is needed to understand the full complexity of schizophrenia and its associated personality characteristics.
Introduction
Schizophrenia is a serious mental illness that affects approximately 1% of the population worldwide (Broderick & Broderick, 2020). It is characterized by disorganized thinking, delusions, hallucinations, and other cognitive deficits (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Schizophrenia is a potentially disabling disorder that can have a significant impact on an individual’s quality of life. Understanding the associated personality characteristics of individuals with schizophrenia is an important step in developing effective interventions and treatments for this population.
Risk Factors
Schizophrenia is a complex disorder that is believed to be caused by a combination of genetic, environmental, and biological factors (Keshavan, 2018). Recent research suggests that genetic factors play a significant role in the development of schizophrenia, with multiple genes associated with a higher risk of developing the disorder (Keshavan, 2018). Environmental factors such as exposure to certain viral infections, stress, and drug abuse are also thought to contribute to the risk of developing schizophrenia (Keshavan, 2018).
Pathophysiology
The exact cause of schizophrenia is still unknown, although current research suggests that the disorder is related to an imbalance of neurotransmitters in the brain (Keshavan, 2018). Neuroimaging studies have revealed that individuals with schizophrenia have structural and functional changes in the brain, such as reduced gray matter volume and altered activity in key brain regions (Keshavan, 2018). These changes are hypothesized to be associated with the cognitive deficits and psychotic symptoms seen in individuals with schizophrenia.
Personality Characteristics
Individuals with schizophrenia often exhibit a range of personality characteristics that can be difficult to manage. These include social withdrawal, poor communication skills, and difficulty expressing emotions (Keshavan, 2018). Additionally, individuals with schizophrenia may have difficulty forming relationships and may display impulsive and disinhibited behaviors (Keshavan, 2018). These personality characteristics can make it difficult for individuals with schizophrenia to function in everyday life and can lead to social isolation and other negative outcomes.
Treatment
The primary treatment for schizophrenia is antipsychotic medication, which is used to reduce the positive symptoms of the disorder (Keshavan, 2018). Additionally, psychosocial interventions such as cognitive behavioral therapy, family therapy, and social skills training can be beneficial in helping individuals with schizophrenia manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life (Keshavan, 2018).
Conclusion
Schizophrenia is a serious mental illness that affects many people around the world. It is characterized by disorganized thinking, delusions, hallucinations, and other cognitive deficits. This paper reviewed the literature on schizophrenia and the associated personality characteristics of individuals with the disorder. It examined the risk factors, pathophysiology, and current treatments available for individuals with schizophrenia. The review concluded that further research is needed to understand the full complexity of schizophrenia and its associated personality characteristics.
References
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing.
Broderick, P., & Broderick, P. (2020). Schizophrenia. In P. Broderick & P. Broderick (Eds.), Comprehensive textbook of psychiatry (9th ed., pp. 823-837). Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Keshavan, M.S. (2018). Schizophrenia. In E.J. Mash & D.A. Wolfe (Eds.), Abnormal child psychology (7th ed., pp. 578-610). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.