Senior Exit Project #4

Schizophrenia is commonly thought of as a disorder where those suffering from it experience delusional audio and visual phenomenon, and while these symptoms may be true of many individuals, schizophrenia actually consists of a wide variety of symptoms.  According to the Gale Encyclopedia of Genetic Disorders schizophrenia can be divided into five subtypes.  The first subtype is known as paranoid schizophrenia.  This subtype is the highest functioning subtype and consists of the most commonly thought of symptoms of schizophrenia (Gulli).  Individuals suffering from this form of schizophrenia often experience delusions and “auditory hallucinations.”  As authors Gulli and Rosick write, “The delusions of paranoid schizophrenics usually involve thoughts of being persecuted or harmed by others or exaggerated opinions of their own importance, but may also reflect feelings of jealousy or excessive religiosity.”  The next subtype of schizophrenia is disorganized schizophrenia (Gulli).  This subtype is characterized by, “a patient’s disorganized speech, thinking, and behavior, coupled with flat or inappropriate emotional responses to a situation (affect).” (Gulli).  Those suffering from this subtype function at a lower level than those suffering from paranoid schizophrenia, and do not respond well in social situations (Gulli).  The third subtype is catatonic schizophrenics.  These individuals suffer disruptions in their movements that can leave them stationary for days or weeks at a time.  These disruptions can also consist of repeated movements and strange poses along with agitation and stupor (Gulli).  Undifferentiated schizophrenics are those who suffer from both positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia (as explained in a previous blog post) and therefore cannot be sorted into a specific category of schizophrenia (Gulli).  The final subtype of schizophrenia is residual (Gulli).  These individuals are those who “have had at least one schizophrenic episode” but they do not consistently experience the delusions and auditory hallucinations associated with paranoid schizophrenia (Gulli).  However, these individuals may show signs of the disorder such as social withdrawal or mild symptoms (Gulli). 

All of these different forms of schizophrenia were fascinating to me, because while I knew that there were other symptoms of schizophrenia I was not aware of the number of subtypes or certain aspects of each.  From this research I have determined that Deborah Blau in my novel I Never Promised You a Rose Garden by Joanne Greenberg is a paranoid schizophrenic.  Schizophrenia has become so stereotyped by the public, and I believe this is due to the fascination people have with things that are out of the ordinary.  Out of all the subtypes, paranoid schizophrenia is the most outwardly obvious and fascinating to people.  While an individual frozen in the same position for weeks, as with catatonic schizophrenia, is strange, there is something inherently more shocking about an individual who swears they hear people talking to them and believes that the government is out to get them.  I believe that this stereotype stems from human natures inexplicable interest in the morbid and shocking.  Ultimately, though, all five subtypes can be equally as devastating to those who suffer from them, and result in a significant decrease in quality of life that can never be comprehended by those who have not experienced this disorder for themselves.

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