Schizophrenia, which is thought to be of genetic origin, as is the case with many diseases, is a lifelong disorder. The reason may be the dopamine level in the brain. This is a condition that requires lifelong treatment. Both the individual and his family need to be informed about the disease.
The movie “ABeautiful Mind” is an award-winning production based on a real-life story. The life of American mathematics professor John Forbes Nash, who received the Nobel Prize, is discussed in the movie.
I think the reason why the movie is so appreciated is that it is about a real life experience. Genius and schizophrenia is a subject that has always attracted people's attention and curiosity. When the two mysteries come together, interest has increased even more.
So, what is schizophrenia?
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, schizophrenia is a disorder that "affects how a person thinks, feels, and behaves." It is a chronic and severe mental disorder that causes one to appear 'out of touch with reality.' There are multiple symptoms associated with schizophrenia. However, some of the most common ones include hallucinations, delusional behavior, and focusing on the problem. There is no known cure or cause for schizophrenia. However, current research suggests an imbalance in brain chemicals such as dopamine (National Institute of Mental Health).
John Nash is a college student with genius-level math knowledge. He is a logic-oriented person. He thinks that classes are a waste of time, that they will destroy his work potential, and that the real dynamics of the job should be learned. That's why he doesn't attend classes. He is trying to become someone important. He tries to find original ideas in order to stand out and gain respect. He is not good at communicating with people and he is aware of it. He believes in what his teacher said in high school: "Your brain has developed a lot, but your heart has lagged behind." In his speech, he says the following: "I have always believed in numbers. man inside to the equations and calculations that are common... But after dealing with them all my life, I ask, 'What is logic?' Who decides this? During my research, I went to the realms of physics, metaphysics and imagination and came back and made the biggest discovery of my career. Logical reasons can only be found in the mysterious equation of true love. I owe it to you to be here tonight! You are the reason I exist! You are my logic…”
Living with an individual diagnosed with schizophrenia is a very difficult and exhausting situation. But his wife supported him a lot during this process. Touching his wife, he said, “This is the truth! You are the real one! I am the real one!” he says. His wife supports Nash in his fight against this disease and makes him feel good.
Schizophrenia is a psychiatric disease characterized by delusions, assumptions, disorganized behavior, negative symptoms and social dysfunction. However, the treatment of schizophrenia patients includes psychological treatments as well as pharmacological treatments.
The lifetime prevalence of schizophrenia, that is, a person's diagnosis with schizophrenia, is slightly less than 1 percent. However, it is more common in men than in women. The onset of this disorder usually begins in early adolescence or early adulthood. Our character in the movie, John (male), started seeing his first hallucinations "the year he started college."
Paranoid schizophrenia is a subtype of schizophrenia. Extreme skepticism is quite common in this type. We can say that John is also under the influence of skepticism, delusions and hallucinations. He developed hostile ideas towards his environment, tended to display aggressive behavior, and began to hear voices that were not there. The reason for his behavior is the voices and delusions that only he hears.
Delusions of evil vision were found in 65 percent of a large international sample of people diagnosed with schizophrenia (Sartorius, Shapiro, & Janlonksy, 1974). For schizophrenia patients, although visual hallucinations are mostly prominent, as in the movie, auditory hallucinations are also sometimes present. People who experience this disease cannot work regularly at a job. They cannot sustain it. They prefer to live independently and stay away from bilateral relationships. This situation causes ridicule and exclusion by other people.
A person diagnosed with schizophrenia may turn to substance use to get rid of the symptoms of the disease. This is why the rate of substance use is high in patients with schizophrenia (Blanchard, Squires, Henry et al).
Schizophrenia, which is thought to be of genetic origin, as is the case with many diseases, is a lifelong disorder. The reason may be the dopamine level in the brain. This is a condition that requires lifelong treatment. Both the individual and his family need to be informed about the disease. It is a process that requires patience and love, and is also difficult and exhausting for both parties.
There is no door that love cannot open, no heart that it cannot heal. Love is the greatest medicine.
Read: 0
