History of Schizophrenia

The term schizophrenia roots back to the early 1900s when Swiss psychiatrist, Paul Eugen Bleuler, used the Greek words schizo, or split, and phren, as in mind, to describe insane episodes. Many psychiatrists believe that multiple personality disorder (MPD) and schizophrenia are not one and the same, although the two conditions are often confused. Many doctors believe that MPD does not exist. As of the history of schizophrenia, Dr. Emil Kraepelin was the first to distinguish the disorder in 1887, yet the mental illness could have existed long before the discovery.

Schizophrenia in the Past

A similar illness, thought to be schizophrenia, can be found in 1500 BC. The Ebers Papyrus is an Egyptian medical papyrus of herbal knowledge. According to archaeological finds, skulls were found with drilled holes, apparently to release evil spirits.

In the early ages, mental illness was not considered to be diagnosed as a disorder for people needing proper treatment. Found in Holy scripture, King David spoke about Saul, who needed to be rid of an evil spirit.

In Greek mythology, a punishment from God included insanity or emotional and mental suffering. Philosophers like Aristotle and Hippocrates proposed and expanded on the theory that treatment for schizophrenia stems from the diet, laxatives, and removing blood for therapeutic purposes.

Throughout the years, belief changed, adding to the history of schizophrenia. Then around the 1560s, authors began to publish their thoughts on mental illness, stating that it was not from demonic possession but caused by natural causes.

In the 20th century, the belief was that mental disorders such as schizophrenia resulted from unconscious trauma that began in early childhood. Studies on the brain and how certain mental illnesses affected it proved that different treatment approaches were necessary. Today, plenty of studies connect mental illness to causes and treatments.

Biological Causes of Schizophrenia

Studies have shown that there is a risk of mental illness being inherited. Studies on twins verified that the more closely one is related to a person with schizophrenia, the higher the chance there is of also having the illness.¹ Genetic risk in terms of prevalence concurs that troubles at birth like toxemia cause the illness, as well as several factors during childhood and adolescence. Environmental factors and trauma, especially if a person is using drugs as a coping mechanism, can also increase the risk of schizophrenia.

Cognitive Symptoms of Schizophrenia

Cognitive issues are inevitable when dealing with a mental illness, especially schizophrenia. Lack of attention span, memory, and concentration create problems throughout daily life, making it difficult to be productive. Other cognitive symptoms include:

Problems using information immediately after learning it
Difficulty processing or making decisions
Reduced motivation of completing tasks
Reduced expression of emotions
Less motivation to speak to others
High risk for dementia

After learning more about when schizophrenia was discovered and the history of the mental illness, you can tell by the side effects that people have found the disorder seriously concerning. People tend to feel like they have lost touch with reality and themselves, which causes stress and behavior changes.

Treatment at Our Florida Mental Health Rehab

The history of schizophrenia is interesting, but it is a severe mental illness that requires proper treatment. Banyan Treatment Center provides patients battling mental health disorders with the help they need to regain control over their emotions and mind. Some of the therapies we provide include cognitive behavioral therapy and motivational interviewing. We even offer Faith in Recovery, a program designed for those ready to receive treatment and connect on a spiritual level.

There is no need to wait in fear any longer, and you are not alone. Our experienced medical staff at Banyan Boca understands the importance of mental health. If you are dealing with schizophrenia, anxiety, bipolar depression, or other mental stresses, we are the treatment center that will help you through the recovery process. We offer many unique therapeutic methods and various levels of care and programs that will help you throughout treatment.