Biological Theory Of Schizophrenia Essay

According to Comer, schizophrenia is defined as a psychotic disorder in which personal, social, and occupational functioning deteriorate as a result of strange perceptions, unusual emotions, and motor abnormalities. This character portrays paranoid schizophrenia, delusional thoughts of being plotted against and threatened by the FBI. He is always looking over his shoulder in fear of being attacked and has a distorted sense of reality, although he is extremely intelligent. Biological theorists would argue there is a strong genetic linkage and a biological component to this disorder. They believe and have proven the abnormal brain structure that exists in schizophrenics and the chemical imbalances they possess. One hypothesis that strongly supports their theory is the dopamine hypothesis. This is when the neurotransmitter dopamine is excreted too frequently and transmits an abundance of messages to its receptors. This was discovered accidently with the use of antipsychotic drugs like phenothiazine. The medication was being tested for antihistamine properties and while it failed, it was shown to improve schizophrenic symptoms (Comer p. 372). Numerous studies were conducted years later and the birth of other antipsychotic medications were born. Research has also proven this to be the most effective treatment …show more content…
This originated from the parents withholding love and nurture, or if there were traumatic events in the child 's life. The child regresses back to the pre-ego state where he only acknowledges and satisfies his needs. He displays positive symptoms of loose association, delusions of grandeur and neologisms (Comer p. 375). After this regression the child tries to control the ego and get in touch with reality, causing auditory