PSYCH/650
Symptoms and Causes: Schizophrenia
University of Phoenix
PSYCH/650
Symptoms and Causes: Schizophrenia
According to Mayo Clinic (2021), “Schizophrenia is a serious mental disorder in
which people interpret reality abnormally” (para. 1). The diathesis stress model may help shed
light on this disorder for a better understanding. Knowing the causes and symptoms of
schizophrenia will help in diagnosing the disorder. This is a disorder that not only affects the
patient, but the family and friends surrounding the individual. A lot of times, he or she requires
a caregiver to help through everyday struggles (Hooley, et al., 2020). This caregiver then can
potentially fall into stress from having to care for that mentally ill individual, and work on his or
her own personal life. There are treatment options available for the individual as well as helping
the family with understanding the disorder and how to handle it.
Discuss the Diathesis-stress Model as it Pertains to Schizophrenia
Because the exact cause of schizophrenia is unknown, there are multiple
theories as to what may be at the root of the issue. One theory used to explain the cause is the
diathesis- stress model. The diathesis-stress model uses the theory of nature and nurture to
explain the
cause of a specific behavior (Hooley, Butcher, & Nock, 2020). Nature refers to genetic
influences while nurture includes experiences that occur throughout life independent of genetics.
In
reference to schizophrenia, the diathesis-stress model suggests that the condition is caused by
both genetic and environmental factors. Some environmental factors, known as stressors, that are
believed to trigger schizophrenia are family issues, lack of social connections, trauma, and
, abuse. The genetic factors, although already within an individual, are believed to be triggered by
environmental stressors which impact the cortisol production in the body.
This model categorizes stressors as homogeneous and suggests that when stressors
are believed to be uncontrollable, they trigger preexisting symptoms of schizophrenia (Jones
&
Fernyhough, 2007). This theory also provides an explanation on the relationship between stress
and schizophrenia (Jones & Fernyhough, 2007). Although research shows that raised cortisol
levels are found in patients with schizophrenia, it is also found in patients with other disorders
including depression and Cushing’s disease so more research is required to determine if it is
specific to this condition or all psychological disorders (Jones & Fernyhough, 2007). From
understanding the causes, comes ways of coping with the disease, but it also helps to
understand the illness more. In that understanding comes the knowledge of how the family of
the individual might be involved.
Discuss the Impact of the Disorder on the Family
Schizophrenia is an extremely severe mental illness that prohibits a person from being
able to function in many ways (Hooley, et al., 2020). It is because of this, that many
individuals with the illness depend on someone else to take care of them. Most of the time
these caregivers are members of the family, being spouses, parents, children, grandchildren,
etc. (Hooley, et al.,
2020). That mean that caregiver is doing just about everything for his or her family member. The
text (Hooley, et al., 2020) mentions that the environment the patient is living in can be a
potential cause for a flare-up or relapse from the disorder. It was found that individuals living
with their parents or spouse as the caregiver, were more likely to relapse than those living with a
sibling, or even the ones forced to live alone (Hooley, et al., 2020).
The individuals caring for their loved ones almost sometimes put their lives on hold. This
can cause a tension and stress of having someone else’s life in their hands to a degree. Expressed
Symptoms and Causes: Schizophrenia
University of Phoenix
PSYCH/650
Symptoms and Causes: Schizophrenia
According to Mayo Clinic (2021), “Schizophrenia is a serious mental disorder in
which people interpret reality abnormally” (para. 1). The diathesis stress model may help shed
light on this disorder for a better understanding. Knowing the causes and symptoms of
schizophrenia will help in diagnosing the disorder. This is a disorder that not only affects the
patient, but the family and friends surrounding the individual. A lot of times, he or she requires
a caregiver to help through everyday struggles (Hooley, et al., 2020). This caregiver then can
potentially fall into stress from having to care for that mentally ill individual, and work on his or
her own personal life. There are treatment options available for the individual as well as helping
the family with understanding the disorder and how to handle it.
Discuss the Diathesis-stress Model as it Pertains to Schizophrenia
Because the exact cause of schizophrenia is unknown, there are multiple
theories as to what may be at the root of the issue. One theory used to explain the cause is the
diathesis- stress model. The diathesis-stress model uses the theory of nature and nurture to
explain the
cause of a specific behavior (Hooley, Butcher, & Nock, 2020). Nature refers to genetic
influences while nurture includes experiences that occur throughout life independent of genetics.
In
reference to schizophrenia, the diathesis-stress model suggests that the condition is caused by
both genetic and environmental factors. Some environmental factors, known as stressors, that are
believed to trigger schizophrenia are family issues, lack of social connections, trauma, and
, abuse. The genetic factors, although already within an individual, are believed to be triggered by
environmental stressors which impact the cortisol production in the body.
This model categorizes stressors as homogeneous and suggests that when stressors
are believed to be uncontrollable, they trigger preexisting symptoms of schizophrenia (Jones
&
Fernyhough, 2007). This theory also provides an explanation on the relationship between stress
and schizophrenia (Jones & Fernyhough, 2007). Although research shows that raised cortisol
levels are found in patients with schizophrenia, it is also found in patients with other disorders
including depression and Cushing’s disease so more research is required to determine if it is
specific to this condition or all psychological disorders (Jones & Fernyhough, 2007). From
understanding the causes, comes ways of coping with the disease, but it also helps to
understand the illness more. In that understanding comes the knowledge of how the family of
the individual might be involved.
Discuss the Impact of the Disorder on the Family
Schizophrenia is an extremely severe mental illness that prohibits a person from being
able to function in many ways (Hooley, et al., 2020). It is because of this, that many
individuals with the illness depend on someone else to take care of them. Most of the time
these caregivers are members of the family, being spouses, parents, children, grandchildren,
etc. (Hooley, et al.,
2020). That mean that caregiver is doing just about everything for his or her family member. The
text (Hooley, et al., 2020) mentions that the environment the patient is living in can be a
potential cause for a flare-up or relapse from the disorder. It was found that individuals living
with their parents or spouse as the caregiver, were more likely to relapse than those living with a
sibling, or even the ones forced to live alone (Hooley, et al., 2020).
The individuals caring for their loved ones almost sometimes put their lives on hold. This
can cause a tension and stress of having someone else’s life in their hands to a degree. Expressed
