The movie, A Beautiful Mind, by Ron Howard, provides some useful information about one of the most debilitating mental disorder, schizophrenia (Wedding et al. 2014). This film depicts a story of the brilliant mathematician, John Nash, who is known for winning a Noble Prize in economics thanks to his Game Theory. Unlike other films that portray characters with psychological disorders, A Beautiful Mind exercises accuracy and sensitivity in displaying the disorder’s causes, symptoms, impacts on the individual’s wellbeing and treatment options.
Describe the Psychological Disorder
Schizophrenia refers to a mental disease, which impairs the normal functioning of the brain (Horvat, 2013). People with this condition report to experience psychosis, meaning they have serious problems with their emotions, thinking properly, and differentiating what is real and what is not. It includes seeing or hearing things that do not exist (hallucinations) and having abnormal beliefs (delusions). Often, when an individual has psychosis, they tend to withdraw and avoid other people. Major symptoms of schizophrenia include hallucinations, delusions, and thought disorder. Other symptoms include feelings of depression, irritable, social withdrawal, blunted expression of emotions, and thinking difficulties.
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Describe Biological and Environmental Causes for the Disorder
Despite years of countless research into the etiology of schizophrenia, the exact causes remain unclear. However, Horvat (2013) suggests that neurodevelopmental abnormalities and genetics may lead to the development of this condition. Moreover, individuals with schizophrenia report smaller brains. Bigger ventricles and smaller frontal lobes compared to normal people. Cognitive deficits are a factor in schizophrenia patients characterized by reduced speech, memory, problem solving, and perception highlighting a dysfunction in various domains such as ventromedial, dorsolateral, and ventrolateral cortex (Arnold & Karl, 2015). Treatment for cognitive impairment is still unavailable. Epidemiological studies offer proof that hereditary factors play a key role in the development of schizophrenia (Arnold & Karl, 2015). Some environmental factors also contribute to the development of schizophrenia. These include problems during birth, malnutrition before birth, and exposure to certain viruses.
Impact of Schizophrenia on the Person’s Mental Health and Wellbeing
If left untreated, the symptoms of schizophrenia can affect a person’s quality of life. On day-by-day basis, the individual may see or hear things, which do not exist. It might be one thing or multiple things, and the person may go to the extent of conversing with non-existent voices and even follow their commands. Sometimes, these orders could lead the individual to harm him/herself (Arnold & Karl, 2015).
Behaviors of schizophrenia patients can have a severe effect on the social and home life. Schizophrenics have trouble in communicating with others (Horvat, 2013). These people tend to sit still and can remain quiet for a long period. They may not respond or look at the person talking to them. At times, they may give answers, which are not related to what they were asked. Moreover, these people may need help to do some of the most basic personal hygiene chores.
Schizophrenics cannot form relationships because of improper mood behaviors and the tendency to withdraw from others (Arnold & Karl, 2015). Whenever a schizophrenic person is delusional or hallucinating, he/she is unable to participate in family, home, and work life. In fact, the family starts to focus on the person because to manage the symptoms of the disorder; it requires so much effort from all involved. Sadly, even if the patient does not withdraw from others, there is a high possibility that others will respond to the severity of schizophrenia symptoms by withdrawing from the patient.
Discuss Biological and Psychotherapeutic Treatments for the Disorder
A Beautiful Mind portrays the biological and psychotherapeutic treatments for schizophrenia. In this film, Nash is a typical schizophrenia patient who presents with reduced thinking capacity and withdrawal symptoms. Biologically based treatments for this condition primarily consist of drugs and medication. Antipsychotic drugs are the best example of biological intervention for schizophrenia. These drugs work by reducing the symptoms of schizophrenia. Chlorpromazine is a synthetic drug that serves as a sedative and tranquilizer. In schizophrenia patients, this drug helps to eliminate the positive symptoms of the condition like delusions and hallucinations. Another common biological intervention is atypical antipsychotic drugs. These drugs are responsible for reducing symptoms of schizophrenia more effectively compared to conventional antipsychotics.
Psychotherapeutic treatment interventions can help schizophrenics who have been stabilized by using drugs and medications. There are various kinds of psychotherapeutic interventions. Individual psychotherapy involves a therapist teaching the patient how to manage their behaviors and thoughts (Arnold & Karl, 2015). The therapist helps the person to explore more about the disorder and its effects and to differentiate between what is real and what is not. The aim is to assist the patient to reduce the effects of the disorder’s symptoms and to manage their daily lives.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is also another type of psychotherapeutic treatment. This intervention involves the therapist teaching the patient to change their behaviors and thinking (Horvat, 2013). During the counseling session, the therapist explores ways the patient can deal with delusions and hallucinations. Combining medication and CBT sessions can eventually help the patient to understand what triggers their psychotic episodes and how to stop or reduce them.
Cognitive enhancement therapy (CET) also known as cognitive remediation is a type of therapy that teaches patients how to identify social triggers or cues and improve their memory, attention, and ability to organize their thoughts. CET is delivered by combining group sessions and compute-based brain coaching (Arnold & Karl, 2015).
The case of John Nash demonstrates that with the right treatment intervention and support system, a schizophrenic can manage their symptoms and lead full lives. Though a cure for schizophrenia is yet to be found, a combination of psychotherapeutic interventions and medication can help to effectively management the signs and symptoms.
References
Arnold, J. C., & Karl, T. (2015). Schizophrenia: A Consequence of Gene-Environment Interactions? . S.L: Frontiers Media SA.
Horvat, R. B. (January 01, 2013). The characteristics of self-experiences and the quality of life in persons with schizophrenia and those after spinal-cord injury. European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience, 263.
Wedding, D., Niemiec, R. M., Hogrefe Publishing., & Ovid Technologies, Inc. (2014). Movies and mental illness: Using films to understand psychopathology . Boston, Mass: Hogrefe.http://ovidsp.ovid.com/ovidweb.cgi?T=JS&PAGE=booktext&NEWS=N&DF=bookdb&AN=01879060/4th_Edition&XPATH=/PG(0).
