In general, the concept of madness has existed for thousands of years, with the first recorded reference in the Ebers Papyrus documents of Ancient Egypt. The true history of schizophrenia as we know it today, however, begins just over a hundred years ago.
In 1893, Emil Kraepelin refined the concept of schizophrenia as a mental disorder, drawing a distinction in different types of psychotic disorders between dementia and manic depression.
It was however Eugen Bleuler who coined the term schizophrenia in 1908 when he realized that it was a separate disorder and clearly distinct from dementia. Bleuler reasoned that patients with dementia deteriorated while those with the illness he called schizophrenia could be seen to improve over time.
To denote the concept of a “split of the mind”, Bleuler used the Greek root “schizein” and “phren” which means mind. His intention was to show the separation between a person’s personality, perception, memory and thinking.
However, if one were to study the history of schizophrenia, it can be seen that there is a major misconception that someone suffering from schizophrenia would switch to and fro between multiple personalities. This is not the case, and is in fact an inaccurate portrayal thanks to TV and the movies. Some sufferers would indeed hear voices which they can distinguish as having different personalities, but they will not take on the personalities concerned.
The early history of schizophrenia is marked by the unfortunate misunderstanding that the disorder was a genetic defect. As a result, many sufferers were ordered to undergo sterilization in the belief that this would eradicate the disorder from future generations.
Such intervention, known by the term eugenics, included the practice of selective breeding. The greatest tragedy in the history of schizophrenia was during World War Two when many sufferers were categorized as “mentally unfit” and were killed by the Nazis.
As science and medicine progressed, the diagnostic definition of schizophrenia has changed. Today, its diagnosis in the United States is based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), a handbook which lists the different mental disorder categories and the various criteria for their diagnosis.
Important Fact #1: Possible Signs Of Schizophrenia
Look out for any of the following signs of schizophrenia -- paranoia, delusions, inactivity or hyperactivity, unusual/strange or lack of emotional responses, over or under sensitivity, self-imposed social isolation, hostility, lack of interest in proper personal hygiene and extreme depression. |
Important Fact #2: Mention Of Suicide
Patients with schizophrenia are more likely to try taking their lives. At all times, take any mention of suicide by them seriously and seek medical assistance. |
Important Fact #3: Curing Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia cannot be completely cured. However medical experts will tell you that 90% of people with the disorder can look forward to recovering to a degree that will enable them to function and lead happy lives. |
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