John Nash is a renowned mathematician most recognized for his theory of equilibrium and life struggle with schizophrenia. A Nobel Prize laureate and quite the living legend, John Nash completed his graduate studies in mathematics at Princeton University (“People and Events: John Nash (1928-),” 1999). He later worked on the faculty at MIT before returning to Princeton as a Professor/researcher (“Big Ideas. Big Thinkers. John Nash,”2003). Though Hollywood is often responsible for depicting mental affliction and superior intellect as intrinsically congruous (common examples include Silence of the Lambs and Mr. Brooks), this is not the norm. John Nash is considered an anomaly when analyzing schizophrenia; most clients with schizophrenia “are of
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The DSM 5 states, under Criteria B that “…the level of functioning in one or more major areas, such as work, interpersonal relationships, or self care is markedly below the level achieved prior to onset” (American Psychiatry Association, 2013). Nash eventually had to resign from MIT for he “could no longer work” (Nasar, 1994). After his resignation, he wandered from city to city in Europe, fearing that “he was being spied on and hunted down” (Nasar, 1994). Furthermore, his relationship suffered as his wife grew “despondent” and he became a rather “frightening figure” (“People and Events: John Nash (1928-),” 1999). They eventually divorced (remarried when Nash improved years later). John Nash’s experience with schizophrenia had its ups and downs yet his symptoms were rather continuous for a large portion of his life, fulfilling criteria c, which states, “continuous signs of disturbance for at least six months;” he suffered from symptoms throughout his early treatments and when he initially stopped taking his medication (American Psychiatry Association, 2013; “People and Events: John Nash (1928-),” 1999). However, why did Nash suffer from schizophrenia at all? Nash’s diagnosis with schizophrenia is most likely rooted in a family history of the illness, providing a genetic predisposition (Comer, 2015). Most psychiatrists apply a diathesis stress model to schizophrenia, citing the interaction of external stresses and individual vulnerabilities as catalysts to disorder (Comer, 2015). The exact etiology of schizophrenia has yet to be discovered so psychiatrists assume that genetics and/or predetermined/innate thinking habits paired with violence, abuse, etc can provide a possible etiological foundation. I will discuss certain biological predispositions that may have made Nash
The DSM 5 states, under Criteria B that “…the level of functioning in one or more major areas, such as work, interpersonal relationships, or self care is markedly below the level achieved prior to onset” (American Psychiatry Association, 2013). Nash eventually had to resign from MIT for he “could no longer work” (Nasar, 1994). After his resignation, he wandered from city to city in Europe, fearing that “he was being spied on and hunted down” (Nasar, 1994). Furthermore, his relationship suffered as his wife grew “despondent” and he became a rather “frightening figure” (“People and Events: John Nash (1928-),” 1999). They eventually divorced (remarried when Nash improved years later). John Nash’s experience with schizophrenia had its ups and downs yet his symptoms were rather continuous for a large portion of his life, fulfilling criteria c, which states, “continuous signs of disturbance for at least six months;” he suffered from symptoms throughout his early treatments and when he initially stopped taking his medication (American Psychiatry Association, 2013; “People and Events: John Nash (1928-),” 1999). However, why did Nash suffer from schizophrenia at all? Nash’s diagnosis with schizophrenia is most likely rooted in a family history of the illness, providing a genetic predisposition (Comer, 2015). Most psychiatrists apply a diathesis stress model to schizophrenia, citing the interaction of external stresses and individual vulnerabilities as catalysts to disorder (Comer, 2015). The exact etiology of schizophrenia has yet to be discovered so psychiatrists assume that genetics and/or predetermined/innate thinking habits paired with violence, abuse, etc can provide a possible etiological foundation. I will discuss certain biological predispositions that may have made Nash