Introduction
This essay focuses on undifferentiated schizophrenia with specific reference to the case of Sally. Sally exhibits a different pattern of undifferentiated schizophrenia, which includes catatonic, disorganized, and elements of paranoid symptoms. This undifferentiated schizophrenia is a part of the broad abnormal psychology and abnormal behavior.
Schizophrenia puts considerable amount of financial pressure on both the affected person and the society. Generally, the condition occurs almost equally across both sexes. However, women have shown mild cases with average variation of six years later. Usually, schizophrenia affects young adults and people in their mid-twenties, but in places where kids tend to live longer in the family, the condition could occur one or two years later, particularly in China or India (Meyer, Chapman & Weaver, 2009). In the US, out of 100 people one will suffer schizophrenia during his or her lifetime. The trend has been steady in different cultures and periods.
A Brief Overview of Sally’s Case
Generally, Sally displays disorganized, catatonic, or even paranoid patterns. Sally could have inherited some patterns of the disease from her maternal grandfather and her mother’s continued smoking patterns and flu during her pregnancy.
Sally had a slow growth, remained active and was not hyperactive but performed above average. Familial conflicts also affected Sally. While her parents remained devoted to her, Sally’s father traveled considerably, played with her, and was critical on behaviors. Sally’s mother developed “almost a symbiotic relationship with her” (Meyer, Chapman & Weaver, 2009).
Sally was above average intelligence but became “an average student in most subjects due to withdrawal from studying and fantasy behaviors despite thorough coaching” (Meyer, Chapman & Weaver, 2009). Sally’s teacher referred to her thought processes as “just a bit off center” (Meyer, Chapman & Weaver, 2009).
Socially, Sally did not develop deep friendship with her mates because of her mother’s constant interference, over protection, and Sally’s unusual behaviors. Hence, she did not have an active “social life and eventually developed abnormal interests and mannerism” (Meyer, Chapman & Weaver, 2009). These conditions extended to her college period.
Sally developed ‘waxy flexibility’ condition or withdrawn catatonic state. However, her condition improved after medication. She did not continue with classes. Sally’s condition deteriorated at home with her mother. She showed a pattern of unresponsive behavior with occasional giggling and rocking behavior (a hebephrenic pattern).
Sally returned to the hospital and improved, but her mother “took her home and failed to adhere to suggested outpatient care” (Meyer, Chapman & Weaver, 2009). Sally worked as a part-time clerk and spent her free time at home and alone.
The patient’s father endured severe heart attack and her mother turned on her for company. She started to wander home and murmur to herself. Sally’s behavior became even odd and she eventually ended up in a mental hospital.
Sally’s Biological, Emotional, Cognitive, And Behavioral Components Of The Disorder
Biologically, Sally’s case could have been genetic. Sally’s maternal grandfather had bizarre behaviors and people referred to him as ‘nuts’. During her pregnancy, Sally’s mother insisted on smoking. She also suffered “flu during her fifth month of pregnancy” (Meyer, Chapman & Weaver, 2009). These factors could have contributed to Sally’s condition.
Emotionally, Sally’s family disorder and conflicts could have affected her during her childhood periods. Intrafamilial expressed emotion and communication deviance are active in the case of Sally (Meyer, Chapman & Weaver, 2009). These could have contributed to Sally’s condition. Expressed emotion also influenced her situation because Sally’s father could be extremely serious with behaviors while her mother was over concerned and over defensive (Meyer, Chapman & Weaver, 2009).
Sally’s cognitive abilities were impaired. For instance, she displayed elements of communication deviance, possibly from a brain disorder. In addition, familial conflicts and disorders were also possible causes (Hansell & Damour, 2008).
Several factors could have contributed to Sally’s condition. Parenting style for Sally was inconsistent and extreme. Although Sally did not face any peer rejection, her mother prevented her from developing any meaningful relationships with her peers. Sally also showed odd, bizarre behaviors, thinking patterns, lack of emotional responses and failure to concentrate (Beck, 2004). One of the teachers referred to Sally’s condition as ‘just a bit off center’. Sally was unable to form any committed stable relationship while in college. In fact, her condition degenerated further.
Conclusion
This essay has explored undifferentiated schizophrenia with specific reference to the case of Sally. The condition is characterized by disorganized, catatonic, or even paranoid tendencies. Sally displayed all these symptoms of undifferentiated schizophrenia.
Biological, emotional, cognitive, and behavioral components could have contributed to Sally’s case. Hence, several factors are responsible for undifferentiated schizophrenia. Sally showed inconsistent, odd, and bizarre behaviors. Such behaviors and her mother prevented her from developing any meaningful social relations.
Undifferentiated schizophrenia can be managed depending on the condition of the patient. However, Sally’s mother prevented any meaningful treatments. As a result, she suffered several relapses and deteriorated further, which led to frequent visits to the hospital. It is imperative for parents to understand their children’s condition and provide necessary support and adequate care for outpatient cases.
References
Beck, A. T. (2004). A Cognitive Model of Schizophrenia. Journal of Cognitive Psychotherapy, 18(3), 281–88. doi:10.1891/jcop.18.3.281.65649.
Hansell, J., & Damour, L. (2008). Abnormal psychology (2nd ed.). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Meyer, R., Chapman, L. K., & Weaver, C. M. (2009). Case studies in abnormal behavior (8th ed.). Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon/Person Education Inc.