An analysis of the indications of paranoidschizophrenia in the character of Nathan Landau in William Styron's 1979 novel, "Sophie's Choice" and the 1982 film adaptation directed by Alan J. Pakula.
Abstract This paper introduces the topic of schizophrenia of the paranoid type as shown in the character of Nathan Landau in William Styron's 1979 novel, "Sophie's Choice" and the 1982 film adaptation directed by Alan J. Pakula. The paper describes the character of Nathan Landau and then looks at the indications of paranoidschizophrenia that are evident. The paper presents some personal concluding remarks.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Nathan Landau
Indications of ParanoidSchizophrenia Findings on ParanoidSchizophrenia Concluding Remarks
From the Paper "Indeed, this paper might have argued that Nathan Landau actually suffered from acute bipolar disorder, or bipolar disorder with psychotic features, but a start was made from the character of his brother and the revelation of paranoid schizophrenia. The latter suits a film set in the 1940s when a great many patients stood to be diagnosed with schizophrenia that might today be assessed differently and in the presence of drugs to reduce or eliminate symptoms, at any rate, making a precise diagnosis less important. Tsuang Et Al (2000) explained how psychiatrists in the present tend to diagnose broadly a psychotic disorder of particular features so as to not rule out the possibility of bipolar disorder or non-specific psychosis to create what may be paranoid or other features. At the same time, bipolar patients often present anger, but less often the persecutory delusions shown by Nathan Landau in different episodes in which Sophie is the target of his disordered thinking, accusations and emotional attacks."
Abstract This paper presents a detailed examination of paranoidschizophrenia and how it relates to the field of nursing. The writer takes the reader on an exploratory journey into the field of paranoidschizophrenia and discusses the prevalence of the problem, why it is important to nurses, the significance of cost to the health industry and nursing implications.
Paper Outline:
Introduction
Review of Literature and Theories
Nursing Implications
Summary
Conclusion
References
From the Paper "Community care nurses can use this information to develop a plan of treatment that will allow as much privacy and dignity for the patient as possible while still maintaining a safe environment for the patient and the other patients in the community(Vasquez, 2001).
Understanding the effects of medication, the stigma of the illness and the fear of patients will help the community care nursing staff members differentiate between symptoms of an impending episode and concerns of the patient when it comes to how the disorder relates to and impacts society and his or her ability to remain productive in society(McCann, 2001)."
Abstract The paper looks at the movie "A Beautiful Mind" by Russell Crowe that portrays John Nash, a brilliant but eccentric graduate student of mathematics at Princeton University. The paper describes how in spite of Nash's eccentricities, he manages to fall in love, marry, have a child and become a tenured professor. In spite of these accomplishments, the paper shows how paranoidschizophrenia gradually takes hold of him and dominates his life. The paper examines his diagnosis and treatment and explores the condition of schizophrenia in general.
Outline:
The Subject: John Nash
Diagnosis
Treatment
From the Paper "In spite of Nash's obvious social awkwardness, he possesses a fair amount of charm. He tells his imaginary roommate that he is "quite well balanced" -- he has an equally heavy chip on both shoulders. However, he already believes himself to be special, too gifted to waste his time attending lectures and reading textbooks. In the opening scene, a professor tells the class that it was mathematicians who broke the Japanese code during World War II, and mathematicians who designed the atomic bomb, linking fine mathematical minds to national security. In the movie, his meeting with the Army when they hire him as a secret code-breaker is quite elaborate."
This paper discusses the story of Nobel Prize winner John Nash and his struggle with paranoidschizophrenia as told in Ron Howard's film "A Beautiful Mind".
Abstract This paper explains that, in the film "A Beautiful Mind", despite suffering from severe paranoidschizophrenia, John Nash manages eventually to control effectively the symptoms of his schizophrenia without the use of medication. The author points out that he used his own a high level of communication competence to control this condition with the techniques of perception-checking and self-talk and was able to live a relatively normal life. The paper stresses that Nash never actually cures his schizophrenia; his symptoms continued and he still had delusions, but he learned to ignore the symptoms and identified his delusions as not being real via a perception-checking approach.
From the Paper "The same strong communication competence is seen in Nash's external communications. In one way, it can seem that Nash has low communication competence. For example, he does not have good relationships with his classmates, his workmates, or his students. However, there are various signs that this is related more to a lack of social skills than an inability to communicate. This is seen towards the end of the film where Nash is seen tutoring and teaching students. In these interactions, it is seen that Nash is an effective communicator. At the same time, Nash can seem impatient and also seems to behave in unexpected ways. Again though, this is related to Nash's inability to understand social expectations and act based on these expectations."
Abstract This paper defines schizophrenia and the different subtypes. The paper first examines how the psychotic disorder affects patients. Next the paper defines the stages of schizophrenia. Then the paper discusses the causes and symptoms of the disease. The paper concludes with a discussion of diagnoses, treatment and prognosis of schizophrenia.
From the Paper "Schizophrenia is a group of psychotic disorders in which the patient has severely disordered patterns of thinking, emotions and behaviors. They may see, hear or feel things which are not there. It is estimated that approximately one percent..."
Abstract This paper describes schizophrenia, a major mental health problem that can affect people from all walks of life. The paper details the diagnostic criteria for the disease, its causes, risk factors and genetic and environmental factors associated with the disease. The paper also presents a history of schizophrenia and discusses various treatment options including anti-psychotic medication, psychotherapy and non-medical interventions.
From the Paper "Schizophrenia is a psychiatric diagnosis considered a chronic psychological or brain disorder that can happen to anyone. It is a major health problem that occurs in all cultures, affects men and women equally and affects all areas of functioning, including thought, emotion, perception and behavior. Although it can occur at any age, onset is typically in young adults. The most common symptoms are incoherent thinking, hallucinations, delusions and bizarre behavior. Because of these symptoms, schizophrenics cannot function effectively in the real world although the world of schizophrenics..."
Abstract This paper provides a history of the illness, schizophrenia, looking at how it affects the brain, the person, and the family. The paper outlines various categories of the condition and discusses the available methods of treatment. The writer describes the common symptoms of schizophrenia and explains the difficulties involved in diagnozing the condition.
From the Paper "Schizophrenia is one of a range of mental conditions that is widely misunderstood. May see it as a relatively recent disease, and the term has only been in use for about a century. However the condition is not new. This disease, which is one of the most disabling of the range of metal conditions, can be traced back for millennia. The first documented cases appears to have occurred in Ancient Egypt, where a discretion of the condition is described in the Eber papyrus, in the Book of Hearts (Okasha, 1999). The condition was not understood in detail, and the treatment was usually incubation, this was a achieved by spending the night in the temple, and the dreams would then be interpreted in seeking the answer to the cause of the illness (Okasha, 1999)."
Abstract This paper looks at the use of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in treating patients with schizophrenia. The paper begins by describing the therapy and its application, as well as presenting studies that have both supported and contradicted its effectiveness. The paper notes that while CBT is the treatment of choice for schizophrenia in the United Kingdom and abroad, it has been slow to be accepted in the United States.
Abstract This paper presents a narrative and intergenerational family therapy, using characters from Jostein Gaarder's 1996 novel, "Sophie's World," as the case study.
From the Paper "This paper uses the families in Jostein Gaarder's novel "Sophie's World" to examine several marriage and family therapy theories found in Diane R Gehart and Amy R Tuttle's "Theory-Based Treatment Planning for Marriage and Family Therapists" and theory-based treatment planning as outlined in Dorothy Stroh Becvar and Raphael J Becvar's "Family Therapy". While the novel focuses on providing an elementary introduction to the history of philosophy, the dual heroines of the book and their parallel families offer fascinating case studies of two marriages and two families in need..."
An overview of schizophrenia, a severe from of mental illness that seriously impacts the patient's life and the lives of others involved with the patient.
1,125 words (approx. 4.5 pages), 3 sources, 2006, $ 44.95
Abstract Schizophrenia is a severe form of mental illness that has warranted continued study from psychologists and researchers for over 100 years. With a complex number of symptoms and questionable etiology, schizophrenia continues to create new challenges today. Though four main subtypes of schizophrenia are recognized, it continues to be a complicated mental illness. More research and continued work with schizophrenic patients is necessary for further understanding of this illness, with the hope that quality of life may be improved. This paper discusses the symptoms, etiology and types of schizophrenia as well as ongoing research on the topic and the challenges a mental illness such as schizophrenia presents.
Abstract The paper relates that schizophrenia is a chronic, severe, and disabling brain disorder that affects over 1% of the population, for which there is no cure. The paper discusses the symptoms, causes and type of persons that may be affected, as well as the treatment.
Outline:
The Disorder
Positive Symptoms
Negative Symptom
Who Does Schizophrenia Affect and When
What Causes Schizophrenia Treatment
The Public Face of Schizophrenia Living With Schizophrenia In Summary
From the Paper "Delusions, according to Random House Dictionary, are fixed false beliefs that are resistant to reason or confrontation with actual fact. Those suffering from delusions may think that the local radio station is extracting information from their head, or that the post office has a magnetic wave generator that control's their actions. People with schizophrenia may also suffer from delusions of grandeur and delusions of persecution. When someone believes that they are a major historical figure, such as Napoleon Bonaparte, this is considered a delusion of grandeur. Delusions of persecution occur when someone with schizophrenia believes that he or she is being intentionally spied upon, plotted against, cheated, and generally mistreated."
Abstract This paper looks at the history of schizophrenia. The writer discusses its diagnosis and how it is portrayed in the media. The writer looks at how it is regarded by the law. This paper discusses the treatments used in schizophrenia. The writer also gives some examples of schizophrenics who have come to receive media attention, such as Andrea Yates.
From the Paper "The disease called schizophrenia was first described by German psychiatrist Emil Kraepelin. Schizophrenia is a common psychotic disorder which affects approximately one percent of the population which transcends economic status education level geographic location and family structure and functionality. There is no way to accurately predict who will become schizophrenic and the cause is largely unknown although there is almost certainly a genetic predisposition for the disorder. However the genetic component is not omnipotent because in identical twins one can be ... "
Abstract In this article, the writer discusses what is known of the origins of schizophrenia, as these pertain to several fields of psychology. The writer looks at important concepts that include schizophrenia as a familial and genetic disease that may or may not present in the family members of diagnosed cases. Further, the writer reflects on how the disease is treated in the present and looks at risks of the condition. A commentary on how psychologists can support the patient who lives in the community is also presented.
From the Paper "Studying possible causes of schizophrenia has led to a large literature in areas that involve brain chemistry, genetics, abnormal development, and the precise nature of cognitive deficits and emotion. Biological theories of schizophrenia gained from progress in neuro-psychiatry, the psychology of perception, and what can be dormant genetic features until a period of abrupt or prolonged stress to produce a first psychotic episode. The emergence of Neuroscience as a distinct discipline in the late 1950s and early 1960s has helped to track genetic factors that influence schizophrenia, in new knowledge to do with genetic dysfunction, molecules, neuronal organelles or differences in neural systems."
Abstract In this essay the writer reviews the pathophysiology of schizophrenia with respect to cell mutations, genetics, cellular adaptation, inflammation, and transmitter disruptions. The article includes a review of current research in the area of schizophrenia. A conclusion is presented with respect to diagnostic procedures as well as treatment regimens. This report also addresses the pathophysiology of the disease as well as discussing diagnostic and treatment modalities.
From the Paper "Today's modern American family, on entering the twenty- first century, is beset by events and conditions that, fifty years ago, were the story lines of authors such as Orwell and Hersey. Mega-technology, ever-increasing healthcare costs, unprecedented scientific advancement, continual cost of living increases, global conflict, and a broadening of cultural diversity besiege the American family today. The pressures brought to bear on the family are healthy in some ways and detrimental in others. With so much more pressure confronting the American family, the rise of psychopathology must be addressed. The remainder of this report will examine one particular psychological disorder, schizophrenia, with respect to its relationship with the modern American family."
Abstract This paper presents three main theories of schizophrenia indicated in contemporary medical literature. The paper gives a general history of schizophrenia and discusses some of the past literature into the condition. It then discusses it towards the understanding of biochemical abnormalities, influences and defects of development, and then the pivotal link to acute stress.
From the Paper "Biological, Genetic and Developmental Roots of Schizophrenia. Introduction Research into schizophrenia has created large literatures on brain chemistry, genetics, and abnormal development. Biological theories of schizophrenia gained from progress in neuropsychiatry, the psychology of perception, and what can be dormant genetic features till an occasion of abrupt or prolonged stress creates a first psychotic episode. The rise of Neuroscience in the late 1950s and early 1960s has helped to track genetic factors that influence schizophrenia towards some knowledge of genetic dysfunction, neuronal molecules, neuronal organelles or differences in neural systems."
