Write a 4 page paper on Schizophrenia. Please include the Pathophysiology, signs and symptoms, diagnosis and treatment. Also, include a Title and a reference page.
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
Understanding Schizophrenia: Unraveling the Mystery
Introduction
Schizophrenia is a chronic and severe mental disorder that affects how a person thinks, feels, and behaves. It is characterized by a range of symptoms that can be debilitating and have a significant impact on the individual’s daily functioning. This essay will delve into the pathophysiology, signs and symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of schizophrenia, aiming to shed light on this complex disorder.
Pathophysiology of Schizophrenia
The pathophysiology of schizophrenia remains unclear, but research suggests that it is a multifactorial disorder involving genetic, neurobiological, and environmental factors. Genetic predisposition plays a crucial role, as individuals with a family history of schizophrenia are more likely to develop the disorder. Additionally, abnormalities in brain structure and chemistry have been observed in individuals with schizophrenia.
Neurotransmitter imbalances, particularly involving dopamine, are thought to contribute to the development of schizophrenia. Excessive dopamine activity in certain brain regions can lead to the positive symptoms of the disorder, such as hallucinations and delusions. Other neurotransmitters, including glutamate and serotonin, are also implicated in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia.
Signs and Symptoms
Schizophrenia is a complex disorder with a wide range of signs and symptoms. These symptoms can be categorized into positive, negative, and cognitive symptoms.
Positive symptoms are characterized by an excess or distortion of normal functions. They include hallucinations (perceiving things that do not exist), delusions (believing in false and irrational ideas), disorganized speech and behavior, and catatonic motor behavior (such as rigid postures or excessive movement).
Negative symptoms involve the absence or reduction of normal functions. These include reduced emotional expression (flat affect), social withdrawal, lack of motivation, and reduced speech output (alogia).
Cognitive symptoms refer to difficulties in thinking processes. These can include problems with attention, memory deficits, impaired executive function, and decreased ability to plan and organize.
Diagnosis
Diagnosing schizophrenia requires a comprehensive evaluation by a mental health professional. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) provides specific criteria for diagnosing schizophrenia.
To establish a diagnosis, the mental health professional considers the presence of characteristic symptoms over a significant period (usually six months), ruling out other potential causes for the symptoms. The individual’s history, family history, and functional impairment are also taken into account.
Treatment
Treatment for schizophrenia typically involves a combination of pharmacological and psychosocial interventions. Medications such as antipsychotics are commonly prescribed to manage symptoms. These medications work by blocking dopamine receptors in the brain, reducing the intensity of positive symptoms.
Psychosocial interventions play a crucial role in helping individuals with schizophrenia manage their symptoms and improve their overall functioning. These interventions may include individual therapy, family therapy, social skills training, supported employment programs, and psychosocial rehabilitation.
Conclusion
Schizophrenia is a complex mental disorder that significantly impacts the lives of those affected. While the exact cause remains elusive, advancements in research have provided valuable insights into its pathophysiology. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment are crucial for individuals with schizophrenia to achieve symptom management and enhance their quality of life. By continuing to support research efforts and reducing stigma surrounding mental health, we can improve the lives of those living with schizophrenia and work towards a better future.
References:
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing.
Owen MJ, Sawa A, Mortensen PB. Schizophrenia. Lancet. 2016;388(10039):86-97.
Howes OD, McCutcheon R, Stone JM. Glutamate and dopamine in schizophrenia: an update for the 21st century. J Psychopharmacol. 2015;29(2):97-115.
Kane JM, Correll CU. Pharmacologic treatment of schizophrenia. Dialogues Clin Neurosci. 2010;12(3):345-357.
Mueser KT, Gingerich S. Psychosocial treatment for people with schizophrenia: update from the Schizophrenia Patient Outcomes Research Team (PORT) psychosocial treatment recommendations. Schizophr Bull. 2006;32 Suppl 1:S20-S23
