Schizophrenia In American Culture

615 Words3 Pages
Schizophrenia Schizophrenia is not only an American cultural issue. It has been diagnosed in many other countries and cultures. This essay will define what schizophrenia is, and the different effects culture has on the diagnosis and interaction for those people who are unfortunate enough to have the mental disease. Also the essay will discuss the impact schizophrenia has on human development. Schizophrenia is a mental disorder marked by delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, and disorganized or catatonic behavior (Shiraev, 2010). These symptoms do not need to be all together in order to make a diagnosis of schizophrenia. Actually, two or more of the mentioned symptoms occurring frequently…show more content…
Instead of placing all the focus on what schizophrenia can be, the author will change gears and reflect on the impact culture has on the diagnosis of schizophrenia. The list mentioned above appears to have a straightforward meaning to them each individually. In American culture, the symptoms are straightforward in meaning. Generally, Americans do not speak of, or regularly experience delusions or hallucinations. It is not common for the American culture to experience voices not attached to a definite source. When these symptoms occur, they are happening outside of the normal range of expected behavior. However, in some places and cultures hallucinations or audible delusions may not demand cause for…show more content…
It has to because it affects the biology of the individual living with the disease, as well as the families living with the individual. Also, some research has shown prenatal factors can raise the risk of later development of schizophrenia diagnosis (Picker, 2005). Scrutinizing development, there are two areas to be concerned with; social and emotional. A person living with the disease will likely not be able to interact well with other people socially. Imagine a person who hears voices from sources other people cannot see. Allowing the person is cognizant he or she is experiencing life in a way the people around are not, could drive a person insane; figuratively and literally. In the very least, he or she would not likely converse or interact well with the people around
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