Schizophrenia: The Split Mind (VIDEO)

Hey everybody, Cara Santa Maria here. It is estimated that 25% of the homeless population in this country suffer from severe mental illnesses like schizophrenia. With the release of Thorazine and Haldol in the early 50s and 60s, the asylum system began to crumble. And although these drugs gave individuals with schizophrenia a fighting chance at living a normal life, without aftercare, many of these individuals were unable to cope with the harsh realities of modern society. This significantly contributed to the homeless population that we see today.

What do you think of when you hear the word schizophrenia? There are a lot of popular psychology myths surrounding the disorder.

For example, schizophrenia is NOT the same thing as multiple personality disorder. Schizophrenia literally means "split mind," not that its a disease of split personalities, but that individuals suffering from the disease are often split off from reality.

Schizophrenia has many faces: paranoid type, disorganized type, even catatonic type. The primary symptoms are: delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, grossly disorganized or catatonic behavior, and negative symptoms, like speaking without emotional tone or having very little energy or will to do anything.

There are other psychiatric conditions that could be confused with schizophrenia like schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder with psychotic features, abnormal behavior due to brain damage, or some pervasive developmental disorders.

It takes a highly trained clinician to make the distinction between these disorders, which is often muddy and nuanced, but what actually causes schizophrenia? If the mind is the behavioral manifestation of brain activity, doesn't it follow that there's something physically different in the schizophrenic brain? And with new research, will these psychological definitions need to be overhauled?

We know that the brains of schizophrenic patients are somewhat reduced in size and have enlarged ventricles. Functionally, the frontal lobes (which are involved in executive functioning and planning), the hippocampus (an essential area for forming memories), and the temporal lobes (which are responsible for speech and hearing) also show signs of dysfunction.

Believe it or not, researchers have long been aware of a slightly increased risk of developing schizophrenia in babies who are born in the winter and early spring. They think that this could be linked to viral exposure by pregnant mothers during winter months.

In fact, schizophrenia could be linked to a virus that lives in our DNA. Recent studies have shown a higher than normal expression of a specific endogenous retrovirus in individuals with schizophrenia. An endogenous retrovirus is an RNA virus that was folded into the human genome millions of years ago through evolution. It is always a part of us. It may be the case that individuals with schizophrenia are exposed to an outside virus during pregnancy or around birth, and that virus leads to changes in retrovirus already present. Later in life, an environmental or genetic trigger may cause that retrovirus to become activated, thus inducing the classical symptoms of schizophrenia, which often don't appear until patients are 15-25 years-old. This is an exciting development, because it could lead to future antiviral treatments for individuals living with this debilitating disease.

Join me as we continue to discuss the science of mental health this month. You can message me on Twitter, Facebook, or leave your comments on my HuffPost blog. Come on, Talk Nerdy To Me!

See all Talk Nerdy to Me posts: www.huffingtonpost.com/news/talk-nerdy-to-me
Like Cara Santa Maria on Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Cara-Santa-Maria
Follow Cara Santa Maria on Twitter: www.twitter.com/CaraSantaMaria

Comments

[merlinspinoza]

06:50 PM on 01/10/2012

talking nerdy would be talkin ghappy; happy is a good thing like money is a good thing;

a study in holland on adults who ha dbeen children [ about age 3 ] when deprived of food due to the war showed higher incidence of schizophrenia; i was on ODSP for 5 years because of this diagnosis [ it ends at age 65 and i didnt get help years earlier]

my condition was also affecte dby aheadinjury in acar accident in the mid 1960's ; i was born in 1943 in Hungary and 3 when we were thrown out of hungary by the communists

the only significant improvement in my condition was from learning TM and better nutrition [ cuurently some maharishi ayur veda as money allows ]

[Andre Darling]

12:46 AM on 01/07/2012

Cara- you do a great job!!

[triplicate]

06:59 PM on 01/06/2012

I have a mental illness known as schizoaffective disorder: it is phases of rapid-cycling manic depression (bipolar type I) and paranoid type schizophrenia. I have no income but I am not homeless because of familial support. I also been a binge user of cocaine and PCP most of my adult life. (This is dual diagnosis as it is called.)

I called it the "fighting fire with fire" mentality: these drugs of choice mimic both underlying disorders, and not out of indifference for my underlying condition. The "blunted affect" (or lack of emotional palette and expressivity) that comes with my mental illness is only seemingly quenchable through these drugs. I would be greatly pleased to see dextromethorpan in particular razed to the ground. It is a PCP functional analog.

Anyone with advice please comment. Thanks!

[belladio]

07:47 PM on 12/25/2011

I saw a mental break firsthand. Not qualified to know if it was schizophrenia or not but it was and is terrifying. I hope all who need it get help before they hurt themselves or others.

[Viable Way]

07:52 PM on 12/25/2011

Would be much easier for people to get help if our jails and prisons did a better job of rehabilitating people BEFORE they get so far into the muck of anti-social behavior.

Oh, sorry, that would mean that people had to have more access to a decent life since IMO so many people turn to crime as a result of poor choices to bad situations.

[belladio]

07:56 PM on 12/25/2011

Maybe, but the jails and prisons are not mental health facilities and shouldn't be used as such by our cheap "better to lock em up than help them" system. It's estimated that millions are in jail and prison because they lack the ability to get the mental help they need. This could be prevented if we had affordable help or help available to the many who can no longer afford it.

I witnessed a super scary break from reality TODAY of all days. Believe me when I say I wouldn't wish that on anyone.

[belladio]

08:16 PM on 12/25/2011

Doesn't say much about our country that it would rather incarcerate its people than afford them the help they need.

[randyeye]

01:10 AM on 12/25/2011

In the 1980s the courts said that a large percentage of those in mental health facilities were, in effect, being held without their consent and without legal authority. They were ordered freed and they flooded the streets. Ordinary people in their families and their friends, if they still had any, couldn't care for them. It was the cause of the homeless explosion of the '80s. The government was responsible, and it's never been corrected. But their forced holding is considered literal imprisonment without having been convicted of a crime. It's a conundrum, and it has not been addressed. These people suffer horribly and without hope. I say let them stay in a facility and be medicated, and they would be among those that a charitable society would provide permanent care.

[novabird]

06:08 AM on 12/25/2011

People with SMI (severe mental illness: Schizophrenia, Bipolar and Schizoaffective) often have what is called anosognosia. This is a symptom of the disease in which the person literally does not believe they are sick. My daughter lost everything and was living in the streets and in trouble with the law and she still did not believe she was sick and in need of help.

Forced treatment is a last resort, in my opinion. But often, when people who are in the midst of a psychotic crisis are involuntarily committed and given anti-psychotics, their brain heals just enough for them to realize they are actually sick and therefore they begin to be able to participate in their own treatment and recovery, which is the ideal situation.

In most jurisdictions there are extreme safeguards and checks and balances around involuntary treatment that protect the rights of people with severe mental illness who are admitted to hospital involuntarily.

[randyeye]

12:37 PM on 12/25/2011

First, best wishes to your daughter and you. I have had my own extreme problems with mental illness that lasted most of my life, and I understand. (I spent 2 months in psychiatric wards.) I fully understand the fine line between improper involuntary "lockup" and necessary commitment. I consider some of the involuntary holding to be rescuing people - people who otherwise would be literally living Through The Looking Glass, with no hope of escape. They may have moments where they feel triumphant, or even joyful, but they are always destined to crash - and come to a bad end. Such a commitment system would have to be closely monitored, with each case carefully reviewed, but I believe it would be an act of mercy and kindness to many people who would simply end in horrible pain and death in the streets, with no one to give a d*man about them. (Of course such commitment would be the last resort.) Due to my profession years ago, I saw this happen to victims countless times. Having personal knowledge of the deep depression and confusion I knew they felt, it broke my heart every time. In a way it was like watching toddlers wander around the streets and back alleys with everyone ignoring them.

Be blessed, and keep up good spirits.

[pinetrale]

08:20 PM on 12/25/2011

Just making a political analogy here, some pundits have insight into their own biasis and they come thru as more thoughtful and encyclopedic, and others have little insight and just come thru as yellers and namecallers, where they throw all their split off projections on their convienent targets. I find that very interesting, this whole concept of self awareness. Unfortunately you can be quite self aware and still have a severe mental illness, though its easy to treat then one in complete denial. Its easy then to see why doctors like some of their patients much more than others.

[despairagus]

01:25 PM on 05/11/2012

Forced holding IS imprisonment without having been convicted of a crime. It's not that much of a conundrum... simply provide the community mental health services that were promised when the state hospitals were opened up.

[randyeye]

01:47 PM on 05/11/2012

If a legal edict regarding mental health is proffered by a judge, in a court of law, the person found incompetent can and should be held in an official facility, so long as they are a threat to themselves or others. The 1980s ruling violated the Constitution (same as Obamacare today, but nothing was done to correct it) and it created havoc, especially for the mentally ill who are unable to care for themselves. Providing care promised when state hospitals opened up is a completely different subject. You know nothing about the law or proper legal procedures and care for the mentally ill. You mean well, but being a liberal you are by definition ignorant of the facts. Educate yourself, then post.

[TINKER6]

08:08 PM on 12/24/2011

This is something I like to keep close, it's called ; No Time
Yes moonshines in my eyes
Lonesome calls from all sides
All thats lost from those dreams
Do they really know what I mean
Too the soberity of those dreams
People come in all forms of their means
But still we're left in our own
Times a slippin from our thrown
Slip no more best anew
When time comes an amazing view
What's known to always been right
Slipping masks on only for the trance
Sky and earth creatures in a dance
A new innovation and romance
We have lifted from all against
Anyone left is still in trance
Not more than moments in that stance
Next group takes their place
Last group looks for no waste
As the next take their place
Fables and folklore mixed in
Knowing the meaning from begin
Finding meanings that have been pondered
Life still has mysteries not to be squanderd
Many an innovation it does keep
Always remember how to read
Live but always be in peace
Everyone have good holidays

[wyb]

08:02 PM on 12/24/2011

Bleuler, who coined the term schizophrenia, did not regard it as a split from reality, but splitting of parts of the psyche that assume assendecy or decedency in dominating the life of the subject. In many ways, more closely conceptualized as Dissociative Identity Disorder, with which many people are diagnosed as schizophrenic are often confused. Therein is a crucial factor. One is related to severe trauma, and the other might be more organic. In other words delusion of one is not the delusion of the other. Of course, as in almost all professions, the mind is a self justifying organ substantiating one's theoretical viewpoint and intervention.

[pinetrale]

04:00 PM on 12/24/2011

Interesting but not yet vetted. There is ample research showing that very close areas on the genome may express schizophrenia in one person and bipolar in another,, and in some unfortunates both as schizoaffective, and it certainly runs in family intergenerationally. Hard to say how much is genetic and how much environment though the role of epigenetic modification of dna may play the key factor. And rna virus is intersting, but also low levels of enzymes like COMT may be involved in its final expression. It does seem to be a continuem as the same atypical antipsychotics seem to work for both schziophrenia and bipolar at different doses. The brain is so plastic it makes sense that a schizophrenic brain appears physically different, especially the dendritic disorganization in the hippocampus. Easy to see how a lot of crossed signals could occur creating word soup and hallucinations and triggering of limbic emotions in an older part of the brain. Loss of cortex and executive function could well explain the negative and positive symptoms and why the disease is so vulnerable to eggacerbation in highly emotionally expressive familys(angry yelling and fighting). Maybe that is why both atypical antipsycotic hit more target symtoms as they work both on the cortex and sub cortical areas where as the older ones work on the cortex. Its still wide open and a nobel price in the waiting for the one with a definitive breakthrough.

[gmikejake]

06:56 AM on 12/25/2011

Interesting, definitely interesting. A family that I once had very close associations with, with some lingering involvements, and, unfortunately, consequences, of those involvements, had "open warfare" commonly in family dynamics; fighting, hitting, yelling .. yes, very emotionally expressive. Over the years, I've come to learn of an unusual number of instances of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and, yes, schizoaffective disorder in that extended family.
Years ago, while consulting with a director of a community mental health center in a large rural area, we discussed that phenomenon. He was close to retirement age and had served that area for many years. That area was settled primarily be two ethnic groups from Europe. He said this phenomenon was present frequently among families in his catchment area, always "under covers," and that he believed that the causes had to be genetic. The extended family that I described above shares those ethnic origins. Interesting.

[Dave Dave]

03:33 PM on 12/24/2011

"what do you think of when you hear the word schizophrenia? The first thing that popped into my mind was Michele Bachmann...

[wyb]

04:27 PM on 12/24/2011

MPD.

[randyeye]

12:58 AM on 12/25/2011

Why her? Why not Joe Biden? Why bring name-calling politics into this?

[despairagus]

01:28 PM on 05/11/2012

Why is "schizophrenia" more often used as a derogatory term rather than a diagnosis?

[Pubdestroyer]

02:27 PM on 12/24/2011

"We know that the brains of schizophrenic patients are somewhat reduced in size and have enlarged ventricles. Functionally, the frontal lobes (which are involved in executive functioning and planning), the hippocampus (an essential area for forming memories), and the temporal lobes (which are responsible for speech and hearing) also show signs of dysfunction."

Goodness! She just describe the psychological condition of most Pubs N' Baggers! The bad news is that if they are successful in destroying Obama care, the poor and middle class among them won't be able to afford treatment at there local mental health faciltiy.
By the way, I looked up "hippocampus" in my dictionary and found that it's a college for hippos.

[MonthlyBeast]

02:40 PM on 12/24/2011

Yes, and when there's an arts event, they all go to the Hippodrome to attend.

[Dave Dave]

03:35 PM on 12/24/2011

Instead of a frontal lobotomy I much prefer a bottle in front of me.

[Sophiedo]

02:19 PM on 12/24/2011

I believe integration is of the soul, whether it manifests in forms such as mental, emotional, physical or otherwise. If it were only of the body we wouldn't make pills to treat only the symtoms but would provide the cure. A true wholeness lies only at the level of the soul, which for many of us it may mean a relationship with a loving god (not necessarily religon which is manmade, although it can be), or for some of us it means making peace with our past thru our emotions (ie to forgive or accept forgiveness). And thereby be whole again. Merry Xmas everyone.

[ethelmertzrules]

02:52 PM on 12/24/2011

Agreed. The pills are just for Big Pharma to profit off another's misery. Drugs clog the channel that connects us to the divine.

[ConfuciusSay-]

04:51 PM on 12/24/2011

If that were even remotely true, how can chemicals affect something divine?

[Vintage59]

01:44 PM on 12/24/2011

Based on my experiences in dealing with schizophrenics, I would say that the common denominator is that they all improved when they interacted with other people more often. Finding the right medications for each individual person is key in many ways. When they come out of their shell and interact they are so much more pleasant to be around. This usually means that other people are more willing to spend time with them.

It's a snowball effect but the meds usually start the cycle. Friends and family complete it. They are a necessary component for recovery. Sadly, those living in the streets have the exact opposite environment. Even if homeless schizophrenics have access to meds tailored to their needs and take them, they may not be as effective.

[novabird]

10:03 PM on 12/24/2011

My daughter has scizophrenia, takes injection anti-psychotics every three weeks and I am constantly encouraging her to get out of her apartment and socialize. That is a challenge because she is extremely paranoid about her own safety and for that reason does not like to leave her apartment. I totally agree though that the social aspect is a crucial part of recovery.

[GaBu2]

01:15 PM on 12/24/2011

Schizophrenia is unexperienced emotions manifesting in the unconscious. Each one needs to be dealt with and brought to closure. The really interesting thing is that the mental health community is helping although they view the cause slightly differently.
You can also cure yourself, but that requires a strength and resolve that is not easily had.

[TINKER6]

07:11 PM on 12/24/2011

Your post hits more towards what I was talking about, without meds. I think an inexperienced mind, is kind off like making a ball out of rubber bands, and trying to undo it. No different than anyone else, just alittle more complex. So many emotions, with little to describe a feeling, and open to take a route of how one feels at the time or to feel better. False paths, that can feed back the same, or a path unrelated not knowing how to except. That is where honest family and a trained willing phyciatrist/phycologist should make a big difference. But still the person, still needs to be open to allow this to happen. Sometimes it's hard to see the world we expected, and whats truly there. I guess that's why, the world arrived at this time.

[novabird]

10:06 PM on 12/24/2011

I am not sure what you think Schizophrenia is - perhaps you got your definition from watching Hollywood movies. Schizophrenia is a devastating brain illness that manifests in hallucinations, paranoia and delusions so severe that many sufferers lose everything and end up living on the streets. That is what happened to my daughter.

[randyeye]

01:19 AM on 12/25/2011

The government should address this issue and provide shelter for these people, most of whom are long detached from their families. They are hopeless and rudderless and can never recover to any degree of normalcy on their own. That they live without protection of any kind in the streets - to them it is literally the wilderness - is beyond the pale.

[GaBu2]

09:04 AM on 12/25/2011

I hardly watch movies, and I stand by my statement. The severity of the manifestations is based on the severity of the unexperienced emotions in the unconsciousness of the sufferer.

[TINKER6]

12:56 PM on 12/24/2011

Has anyone ever looked into the voices, that some talk about hearing, as a more human safety net for one, instead of just jibberish?

[SisterAnn]

03:58 PM on 12/24/2011

Research suggests that schizophrenia may be caused by too many or too few chemicals in the brain. These chemicals are thought to control emotions, motivation, movement, and how people experience the world around them. A problem with these chemicals may cause messages in the brain to get mixed up and bring about symptoms.

Reagan was president from January 20, 1981 – January 20, 1989.

Early 1980's: Seeking to cut federal expenditures, the Reagan administration directed the Social Security Administration to pare the SSI and SSDI rolls. Social Security administrators responded by developing definitions of mental illness that diverged from those used in the past and those employed by mental health professionals. The resulting dislocations ultimately produced a public outcry that compelled the administration and Social Security to back down.

1981: The 1981 Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act repealed the provisions of the National Mental Health Systems Act, cut federal mental health and substance abuse allocations by twenty-five percent, and converted them to block grants disbursed with few strings attached. New York State, which used block-grant monies to fund community-based programs, and other states have to cut mental health programs.

Federal support for mental health treatment increased as protests were made against funding cuts and Democrats in Congress hid funding in omnibus budget bills.

1986: The federal State Comprehensive Mental Health Plan Act compelled states to devise detailed service plans that emphasized the needs of the seriously mentally ill in order to remain eligible for federal block grant funds.

[despairagus]

01:37 PM on 05/11/2012

Quite often the voices are persecutory and/or insulting. It really doesn't have much to do with safety.

[RaleighMom]

12:41 PM on 12/24/2011

Thank your for an important topic. The mentally ill child, teen, or young adult desperately needs a strong, loving, supportive family. They need nearly constant supervision. A close family with a stay-at-home Mom recently discovered their young son was hearing voices. After a hospitalization he started the road to recovery which required daily meds, frequent psychologist/psychiatrist/primary care doctor visits (weekly) and constant supervision. How many families are prepared to give this sort of support to an almost grown-up child? Today both parents are away at work, and no one is available to provide support.

[novabird]

10:08 PM on 12/24/2011

That is the story of my life, and the lives of hundreds of thousands of loving family members who provide care to people suffering from schizophrenia.

[RaleighMom]

09:03 AM on 12/29/2011

What average people don't realize is that the person who is suffering from the illness usually has so many wonderful qualities that make them very, very lovable. Very worthy of admiration and respect. Someday medical science will be able to do more than they can do today and we all dream of that better future.