To begin with, a large majority of the clients I work with at the HSC are diagnosed with schizophrenia. Before this internship, I had little knowledge of this mental health disorder. Having been interning for several months now, I have a better understanding of what this disorder entails. To begin with, schizophrenia is a mental illness in which individuals are characterized by psychotic symptoms, including delusions, hallucinations and other disorganized behaviors (American Psychological Association, 2000). Most of our clients are adults, ranging from 20 to 60 years of age, approximately. Schizophrenia, if not properly managed through the use of medications, therapy or a combination of the two, can cause distress and create issues with daily functioning. All of the clients at the HSC who are diagnosed with schizophrenia are on medications, to some degree. These medications provide relief to disordered thoughts, help to control delusions and aid in quieting auditory hallucinations. Schizophrenia has a high heritability rate of around 80 percent. Thus, while it is clear how biology plays a role, it is also important to determine how other factors, such as the environment may influence both an individual’s …show more content…
It shapes our perceptions of individuals, disorders and recovery. Psychology is a tool we can use to both understand ourselves as well as those around us. People need other people, not only to live, but to thrive. To be healthy, happy people who are able to contribute to society in a positive way, it is essential to take the time to understand each other, put ourselves in one another’s shoes and be able to share life with each